Objectif THE AIM OF THE RESEARCH IS TO DEVELOP, IN THE SCOPE OF THE CUT AND FILL CONCEPT, A SYSTEM OF NON EXPLOSIVE MINING OF HARD ROCK DEPOSITS, LEADING TO A SAFER AND LESS ENVIRONMENTALLY DESTRUCTIVE METHOD FOR THE RECOVERY OF MINERALS FROM VEIN TYPE DEPOSITS. Total mechanization of hard rock mines has proved extremely difficult to achieve especially in the field of rock breaking at production stopes. The primary objective of this research project was to identify potential rock breaking systems and to develop a stoping method, specifically a cut and fill method, which could be used to mine hard rock without the use of explosives. Underground trials of proposed rock breaking systems were carried out in the test mine at Curraghinalt. The following areas of research were carried out: identification of rock breaking systems, mining machine trials ar Curraghinalt, correlation of machine performance and rock mass properties, investigations of fill materials and fill systems and the development of computer models for the analysis of cut and fill stope stability and economic analysis of the stoping operations. A major literature study was completed and this identified the systems felt to have the potential for this research project.In situ trials of different rock breaking systems and research carried out on the relationship between machine performance and rock mass and rock material parameters has shown that it is possible to develop an equation to predict machine performance from standard rock mass measurements. These equations were applied to the rock mass data from Cononish mine and machine performance was predicted. This suggests that the scheme can be applied to other mines in the future. The investigation into mechnaical properties of backfill materials has shown that cemented tailings (150 um) and rockfill (25 mm) can successfully be used as stable backfill materials. Computer models of the cut and fill stope layouts and mine planning systems were developed. The stability of backfilled stopes were analyzed and optimum mining, fill transport and emplacement techniques were selected for the test mine. In situ trials with the Webster impact ripper showed that a combination of an impact ripper and a kerf cutting machine (pr obably a diamond wire saw) can be economical method for the mechanical mining of hard rock.THE MAIN STEPS OF THE RESEARCH WILL BE: - INVESTIGATION OF NON EXPLOSIVE MINING SYSTEMS, DESIGN AND SELECTION OF THE EQUIPMENT; - INVESTIGATION OF FILL MATERIALS AND FILL SYSTEMS; - ROCK CHARACTERISATION TO ENABLE FINAL DESIGN OF MACHINERY; - IN SITU TESTING OF MINING MACHINERY AND SYSTEMS; - INTERACTIVE COMPUTER MODELLING OF MINING AND FILLING SYSTEMS, GENERAL ENOUGH TO BE USED IN VARIOUS SITES; - WRITING OF A DESIGNER'S MANUAL FOR THE USE OF THE SYSTEM. IF SUCCESSFULL, THIS RESEARCH COULD LEAD TO AN IMPROVEMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY AND ENABLE MINERALS TO BE MINED MORE COMPETITIVELY IN THE EEC COUNTRIES, IT COULD ALSO ENABLE ORE BODIES TO BE EXPLOITED THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO BE MINED AND COULD HELP IN THE EXPORT OF MINING EQUIPMENT TO NON EEC COUNTRIES BY EEC MANUFACTURERS. Champ scientifique humanitieslanguages and literatureliterature studiessocial scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivity Programme(s) FP1-RAWMAT 3C - Research programme (EEC) on materials (raw materials and advanced materials), 1986-1989 Thème(s) Data not available Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinateur IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse South Kensington Campus LONDON Royaume-Uni Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée Participants (2) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution de l’UE Tout développer Tout réduire Ennex International Plc Irlande Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse 162,Clontarf Road 3 Dublin Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BERLIN Allemagne Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse Strasse des 17. Juni 135 BERLIN Voir sur la carte Liens Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée