Stability analysis of the pillars of the underground mine Chaabet El-Hamra, Algeria by analytical and numerical methods
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- Category: Mining
- Last Updated on 07 May 2019
- Published on 24 April 2019
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Authors:
R. Nakache, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
M. L. Boukelloul, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A. Bouhedja, Dr. Sc. (Tech.), Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
M. Fredj, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., University Abderrahmane Mira, Bejaia, Algeria, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Abstract:
Purpose. Analysis of the current and proposed room and pillar exploitation technique of the Zinc mine (Chaabet El-Hamra) by two different approaches, the tributary area (TAM) for analytical method and numerical method (Finite Element Method FEM) through PLAXIS 3D software.
Methodology. In this work, the stability analysis of the room-and-pillar of the Chaabet El-Hamra mine was performed. Firstly, the safety factor for both conditions was calculated by TAM: 1) the current operation using 8.0 m wide rooms with 4.0 4.0 m pillar sections; 2) the proposed technique using 9.0 m wide rooms with 3.0 3.0 m pillar sections. Secondly, the numerical method was used to analyze pillar stability and total displacement of the proposed technique through the PLAXIS 3D software.
Findings. Using more than one method in underground mining for analysis of the existing or proposed technique is the best solutions for achieving reliable results.
Originality. The originality of this work is to use two different methods – TAM and numerical method (FEM) – for analyzing the rooms-and-pillars stability design at a mine and proving the accuracy of this method in mining engineering field
Practical value. The results of the chamber and pillar stability analysis indicate a safety factor of 1.38 for the proposed technique. In addition, the maximum displacements are 0.259 mm. Thus, the proposed operating technique of the layer will not cause stability problems. The production ratios show that the extraction rate of the current technique is 89 % and for the proposed technique it is 93.75 %, so these results show that the proposed technique is advantageous and more practical. The stability studies confirm the fact that geotechnical research with computer applications (numerical methods) in underground mining can make a significant contribution to developing safer and more economical stopping methods with greater health responsibilities, security and environment.
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