Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia:

V. P. Zubov, Professor at the Mineral Mining Department, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, spggi_zubov@mail.ru
K. A. Anisimov, Post-Graduate Student

The article describes the practical experience gained with the known technologies of kimberlite mining below open pit mine bottoms. The promising nature of kimberlite mining under protection of yielding rock mass (protective cushions) made of blasted ore and enclosing rocks is emphasized. It is pointed at the increased hazard of stoping operations in this case, related with uncontrolled collapse of heavy rocks in stopes, which induces dynamic loading of the protective cushion and traumatic air shock waves in stopes. The specific characteristic of geological conditions intrinsic to the Eastern and Western ore bodies in Udachny Mine, ALROSA is given. The factors to govern the safety and efficiency of underground mining under protective cushions made of waste rock or ore are identified. It is mentioned that a protective cushion may contain up to millions of tons of the diamondbearing ore. The data on the minimum thickness of the protective cushions with regard to the effect of various factors are presented. The conclusion drawn says that the further operations in the Eastern and Western ore bodies in Udachny Mine as consistent with the earlier adopted project solutions can end with impossible drawing of ore from the protective cushion in the final phase of mining because of unsafety. The technological alternatives are proposed for the extraction of diamond-bearing ore under the protective cushions: these alternatives create conditions for safe drawing of ore from the protective cushions made of waste rock or ore. The lab-scale studies of the diamond-bearing ore drawing from the protective cushions in the final mining phase in the Eastern and Western ore bodies of Udachny Mine are described.

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