Skip to main content
European Commission logo print header

IMPROVED CONTROL SYSTEM OF THE EVOLUTION OF CAVITIES FORMED DURING SOLUTION MINING AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Objective

This project would seek to fine tune the methods and instruments of a control system of the evolution of cavities formed during solution mining and broaden their applicability within the solution mining industry in order to maximise the safety of mining operations by reducing risk of subsidence and sinkhole formation, and to optimize the leaching process (continuation of the preceding EEC project MA1M0048).
The project seeked to fine tune the methods and instruments of a control system used in association with the evolution of cavities formed during solution mining. The research involved broadening their applicability within the solution mining industry in order to maximize the safety of mining operations by reducing risk of subsidence and sinkhole formation, and optimizing the leaching process. The project is the continuation of the preceding European Economic Community (EEC) project MA1M-0048.

An automatic data acquisition and processing system of exploitation data has been installed in the mine and is now running.

Improvements have been made to the mathematical model for simulation of cavities evolution during exploitation. The comparison between simulations and sonar surveys was found to be satisfactory.

A 3-dimensional finite element method (FEM) package was implemented for calculation of cavities stability. Tests have been made taking into account the real situation of the cavities of Belvedere Spinello mine. The simulations confirmed that the results of the 3-dimensional model fit the real situation better than those of the 2-dimensional model.

The seismic monitoring network, already installed in the mine, has been improved by modifying hardware and software and data transmission systems. The functionality of the network has improved considerably.
The project will involve the following phases: .SP 0 design and implementation of a central online remote monitoring system of operational data;
design and implementation of an automatic data acquisition and processing system;
improved control of salt production and cavity development;
sonar surveys;
improved prediction and control of elasto-visco-plastic deformations;
improvements to the seismic monitoring network;
measurements for fine tuning the orebody seismic model;
and the final joint report.

Topic(s)

Data not available

Call for proposal

Data not available

Coordinator

Mining Italiana SpA
EU contribution
No data
Address
Via Chianesi 110
00128 Roma
Italy

See on map

Total cost
No data

Participants (4)