Considerations for mass mining at greater depths - lessons from DEEPMINE

Speaker:  Dr Fernando Vieira, Senior Principal Advisor | Mining | Rock Mechanics | Innovation, Cartledge Mining & Geotechics

Abstract:  Massive mining, involving caving and other types of extraction methods, are increasingly progressing to greater depths. These operations are, or have been, designed using empirical methodologies which will not be applicable.  The mechanisms governing ground response in deeper geotechnical environments are not accounted for by the empirical design criteria applied today. There is, therefore, a considerable need to develop new approaches for safely designing mass mining layouts for greater depths, so to manage the risk of ground control instability (rockburst, impaired caveability, uncontrollable induced seismicity).

Bio:  Fernando Vieira is a professional mining and geotechnical engineer, and mining innovation technologist. He is internationally experienced in multi-commodity underground and surface mining operations, gold, coal, copper, iron-ore and is currently a technical adviser/consultant.

Fernando has led production, technical functions, projects, and technology delivery programs both on mine sites and in corporate branches in addition to directing technical-scientific mining R&D programs in Centres of Excellence and in Technology & Innovation groups. Fernando has worked in mines in Portugal, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Australia, and for Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Rio Tinto, and BHP.

Focus areas for Fernando include: Mine Design/Planning; Mining Extraction Methods; Rock Mechanics; Cave Mechanics; Geotechnical Engineering and Risk; Hard Rock High-Stress-Deep-Level Mining; Development/Delivery of Technology Innovation.