Geoscience Characterisation
This project seeks to improve the quantity and quality of geo-data acquisition through the integration and rapid processing of multiple geo-data sources. This data-fusion will serve to improve data utilisation (extract more information) and also seek to extract data from new/enabling technologies.
The ultimate objective of the fusion of vast geo-data sources is to develop reliable geotechnical models that incorporate data variability and data uncertainty into the rock mass characterisation process, all of which will require that application of novel geostatistical methods and tools that are desperately needed to provide confidence in the models that underpin the mine design and predict mine performance.
Rock Mass Conditioning
This project will concentrate on analysing hydraulic fracturing and monitoring data from several cave mines to understand the conditions and mechanisms through which emplacement effectively alters the rock mass and local stress regime; identifying the geo-impact of various rock mass preconditioning technologies and evaluate their effectiveness in addressing risks at depth; developing effective rock mass conditioning strategies for mitigating against deep mining risks; qualifying the influence of temperature and stress on rock mass preconditioning methods.
Deep (Mass) Mining Geo-Risk Management
This project will focus on the identification, quantification, and management of geohazards through back analysis of mine monitoring data to develop/improve tools and methodologies for defining and assessing key geohazards for incorporation into a mine geohazard models; the development of guidelines on methods for incorporating potential geohazards into predictive mine performance models during mine study phases; Developing tools for integrating the mine geohazard model with geotechnical monitoring systems and real-time operational databases for effective real-time geohazard management during mine development, operations and closure.
Material Flow in Deep Mass Mines
This project will undertake fundamental, lab-scale studies as well as back- analyse mine flow data, cave propagation monitoring data, and production draw data to investigate the mechanisms of drawzone growth, drawzone interaction, and mass flow under high vertical loads; investigate mechanisms of dilution entry and dilution control; quantify the primary causes of ore reserve losses in modern caves; investigate effective load-shedding, draw strategies; development of integrated, real-time drawpoint monitoring tools to manage the short term drawcontrol and longer term draw strategies
Mass Mining Method (Design) Improvements
This project will investigate robust mass mining methods to better suit deep underground mass mining; developing a selection of robust performance metrics / criteria to evaluate the pros and cons of mining methods; investigate methods of reducing surface subsidence effects, including the emplacement of in-pit tailings above an active mine; investigate the combination of hydraulic fracture, rock mass preconditioning with in-situ leaching technologies, to improve ore recoveries, particularly from cave mines.