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[MINING ENGINEERING]
MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
By
DEEPAK SHARMA
UDAIPUR- 313001
SYNOPSIS
Synopsis of the research work to be carried out in partial fulfilment of the requirement
for the degree of Master of Technology in mine planning, under course work program
from Department of Mining Engineering, College of Technology and engineering,
Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur.
The aim of the study is to provide technical evidence against present legislation
regarding open-pit mine working. We aim to increase the ultimate pit angle in
small and medium open-pit mines in order to boost production and overcome a
patriarchal problem. Analysis of the core samples by calculating the geo-
mechanical properties, will help to calculate factor of safety of the slope thereby
we can trim the bench even further increasing the overall pit width. The study
will help to push the mineral production in small and medium size open-pit mines
as the lease boundary is extreme limit of working. More mineral can be recovered
which was earlier considered as irrecoverable due to restrictions in working.
Open pit mines call for the excavation of the earth surface to reach the underlying
minerals of economic utility. The excavation process requires cut slopes to be
formed on an earlier plain earth surface. Stability of the cut slopes is crucial for
the safe and economical mining operations. The slope stability is governed by the
local geological and geo-technical characteristics of the slope forming mass and
the prevailing ground water conditions. The design of the open pit mine slopes is a
deciding factor for efficient exploitation of underground minerals as well as for
the safety of the mine and the mineworkers which control the economics of the
operations.
This section briefly deals with the review of the research work carried out in
India and abroad in relation to the objectives of the proposed study. An extensive
review of the research literature has been made on the lines of objectives
contemplated to facilitate devising an appropriate methodology towards
accomplishing the entire research topic.
ChingLiu and ShiChen (2007) presented a new rock mass classification system
which can be appropriate for rock slope stability assessment. This research treats the
slope rock mass classification as a group decision problem, and applies the fuzzy
logic theory as the criterion to calculate the weighting factors. In addition, several
rock slopes of the Southern Cross-Island Highway in Taiwan were selected as the
case study examples. After determining the slope rock mass quality estimates for each
cases, the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) model was used to classify those that
are stable or not, and the discriminant functions which can determine failure
probability of rock slopes were carried out by the LDA procedure. Afterward, the
results were compared with slope unstable hazards occurring actually, and then the
relation and difference between them were discussed. Results show that the proposed
method can be used to assess the stability of rock slopes according to the rock mass
classification procedure and the failure probability in the early stage.
Akbari et al. (2008) determined the ultimate pit limit in surface mines using real
option approach. The focus was on the role of metal price and its importance in
ultimate pit determination and in consequence in the whole planning and design
procedure of an open pit mine. Results showed that none of the existing algorithm of
Ultimate Pit Limit determination considers the metal price uncertainty while it was
shown that the price is the most sensitive factor in mine planning procedure with
regard to pit limit determination.
Zhang (2010) reviewed and evaluated the existing empirical methods for
estimating the unconfined compressive strength of jointed rock masses including the
jointing index methods, the joint factor methods, and the methods based on rock mass.
The review shows that different empirical methods may produce very different
estimates. Since in many cases, rock quality designation (RQD) is the only
information available for describing rock discontinuities, a new empirical relation is
developed for estimating rock mass strength based on RQD. The newly developed
empirical relation is applied to estimate the unconfined compressive strength of rock
masses at six sites and the results are compared with those from the empirical
methods based on rock mass classification.
Singh et al. (2013) made an attempt to characterize the materials of the mine for
simulation of existing slopes. The rock samples from the coal measures were
collected to determine the petrophysical characteristics of various rock units. All the
pertinent geological parameters from the exposed face were also collected during field
visit to assess the slope mass rating (SMR). A two-dimensional finite difference tool
was employed to simulate the existing slope geometry as well as relevant parameters
of the rock units. The numerical simulation indicates various vulnerable points which
are prone to failure as well as displacements at various points along the slope. The
results of simulations are corroborated with the SMR value. The results were well
matching with the field condition. Stability of slope in an opencast mine is always
associated with safety and economics. The steeper slope is always preferred from
economic point of view but prone to failure, whereas flatter slopes are uneconomical.
Francioni et al. (2015) used an integrated remote sensing – GIS approach for the
deterministic kinematic characterization of the Lorano open pit in the Apuan Alps of
Italy. Results of geomatic and engineering geological surveys and additional
geomechanical analysis using a 3D finite difference method were adopted in order to
provide an understanding of the role of stress-induced damage on slope performance.
Over the last decade, terrestrial laser scanning and digital terrestrial photogrammetry
techniques have been increasingly used in the geometrical characterization of rock
slopes. These techniques provide innovative remote sensing tools which overcome the
frequent problem of rock slope inaccessibility. And are useful in rock slope
investigations and finds application in a wide variety of geotechnical and mine
operations.
Stead et al. (2015) analysed the structural geology to slope stability assessments,
by reviewing structures control slope failure mechanisms, measure structures and
include them in slope stability analyses, and review numerical simulations of slopes
incorporate geological structures and processes. Geological structures such as folds,
faults, and discontinuities play a critical role in the stability and behaviour of both
natural and engineered rock slopes.
So far, there is lack of technical evidence in order to increase the ultimate pit
angle of an open pit marble mines. Hence, I have decided to conduct research study
related to it.
The above objectives could only be reached if acted upon with a planned approach.
The first step towards a goal always starts with knowing everything about it. This was
followed by extensive field investigation and collection of core samples from the
mining field. The geological data required for study on location of mine. Samples will
be tested in the laboratory in order to know there geo-mechanical properties.
Literature review
Survey of literature about assessment of core samples and studying there geo-
mechanical properties in order increase the recovery from open-pit mines.
Field Work
Studying regional geology.
Identification of joint sets in the strata.
Collection of rock core samples from different locations.
Identifying the critical slopes and collecting data.
Laboratory work
Testing the core samples in the laboratory.
Evaluating the geo-mechanical properties.
Stereographic projection of the data.
Processing the laboratory data in FLAC SLOPE software.
Akbari, A.D., Osanloo M. & Shiraz M.A., 2008. Determination of ultimate pit limits
in open mines using real option approach. IUST International Journal of
Engineering Science, Vol. 19, No.5-1.
Alejanoa, L.R., Filgueiraa, U.C., Reya, I.P., & Arzuab, J., 2017. Stability analysis of
an over-tilted slope in a granite quarry: the role of joint spacing. Procedia
Engineering Vol. 191 pp.: 402 – 409
ChingLiu, Y., & ShiChen, C. 2007. A new approach for application of rock mass
classification on rock slope stability assessment. Engineering Geology,
Volume 89, Issues 1–2, Pages 129-143
Singh, T. N., Pradhan, S. P., & Vishal, V. 2013. Stability of slopes in a fire-prone
mine in Jharia Coalfield, India. Arabian Journal of Geosciences,
Volume 6, pages: 419–427.
Francioni, M., Salvini, R., Stead, D., Giovannini, R., Riccucci, S., Vanneschi, C., &
Gullì, D. 2015. An integrated remote sensing-GIS approach for the analysis of
an open pit in the Carrara marble district, Italy: Slope stability assessment
through kinematic and numerical