Improved stope design guidelines based on Stability Graph Method for Swedish underground mines

Purpose and goal:

The objectives of the project are to: 1) improve the data collection approach for assessing stope stability; 2) calibrate the three-dimensional numerical modelling methodology developed from previous pre-study project; 3) examine the feasibility of using machine learning techniques to predict open stopes´ stability using data from on-site cases and numerical models; 4) develop guidelines for qualitative and quantitative collection of input parameters used in stope design; and 5) develop new stope design tools/guidelines for Swedish underground mines.

Expected results and effects:

The expected results from this project are: i) improved understanding of stope stability and critical input parameters; ii) guidelines on determination of the weight for critical input parameters; iii) improved data collection method and established database for future stope design; iv) calibrated 3D numerical models; and v) improved stope stability graph through new design guidelines. In the end, the following KPIs defined in the Roadmap will be addressed: no fatalities and minimised Lost Time Injuries (LTI), improved ore recovery and minimum dilution, and minimised waste.

Approach and implementation: The work is divided into work packages (WPs) and planned as follows WP1: Project coordination WP2: Cases investigation and data collection WP3: Numerical model calibration by using collected cases WP4: Improvement of stope design by using multivariate statistical analysis and machine learning techniques

WP5: Development of stope design tools/guidelines for Swedish underground mines

In order to ensure progress the project will use workshops to integrate and disseminate the results. The workshops are planned to be held approximately with 3-6 month intervals.