University of Belgrade, Technical faculty in Bor, Bor, Republic of Serbia

Radovanovic M., Teaching Assistant, MSc in Mining Engineering, PhD Candidate, mlradovanovic@tfbor.bg.ac.rs
Pantovic R., Head of the Rock mechanics laboratory, Professor
Petrovic D., Head of the Underground mining department, Professor
Stajic M., Teaching Assistant, MSc in Mining Engineering, PhD Candidate

The future of underground exploitation is reflected in the increase of the depth at which it takes place, considering that deposits at lower depths are mostly exploited. The increase in depth represents a challenge in mine design, because the increase in depth is accompanied by more difficult mining conditions. Also, one of the characteristics of underground exploitation in past years is the constant reduction of ore grades. That is the reason why caving methods take an important place in present mining. To provide safety mining environment using caving methods at greater depths it is necessary to ensure the stability of the excavation blocks. This can be achieved by selecting the optimal parameters of the excavation blocks and the proper construction of the bottom structure of the excavation blocks. In this paper, an analysis of the stability of the facilities at the bottom structure of excavation block was performed. The results of the numerical finite element analysis of the stress-strain state show that with proper bottom structure construction of the excavation block and with an appropriate layout of the loading chambers and drifts, satisfying stability can be achieved which ensures safety working conditions.

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