Abstract
The pillar stability factor (PSF) is calculated in three different mining stages for a sublevel open stoping mining project located in northern Botswana. Several three-dimensional finite element models were developed by varying the stope span. Pillar strength was estimated using the Lunder and Pakalnis equation and pillar stress was obtained from the numerical models. As mining progresses, both the first and second mining stages meet the rib pillar stability factor requirement for safe extraction. Geometrical improvements are suggested in the mining layout for the third mining stage to achieve the required PSF, which is based on international practices.
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
11-9-2021
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.3390/materproc2021005011
Repository Citation
Kaklis, Kostas; Agioutantis, Zacharias; Masialeti, Munyindei; Yendaw, Jerome; and Betsi, Thierry Bineli, "Parametric Analysis of Rib Pillar Stability in a Longitudinal Sublevel Open Stoping Operation in an Underground Copper Mine in Southern Africa" (2021). Mining Engineering Faculty Publications. 14.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/mng_facpub/14
Notes/Citation Information
Published in Materials Proceedings, v. 5, issue 1, 11.
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).