A Limit Equilibrium Model to Simulate the Large-Scale Pillar Collapse at the Everest Platinum Mine

Abstract

This paper is a case study of a large-scale pillar collapse at the Everest Platinum Mine. A major contributing factor to the collapse was the presence of weak alteration layers in the pillars. These alteration layers are found in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa where the pyroxenite layers have been exposed to hydrothermal fluid flow, serpentinisation and layer-parallel shearing. The resulting clay-like material and the weak partings substantially reduce the pillar strength. From the literature survey, it is clear that weak seams in pillars reduce their strength and conventional pillar strength formulas overestimate the strength in these cases. As an alternative, a novel numerical modelling approach is proposed to study the pillar failure and to conduct a back analysis of the mine collapse. This consists of a limit equilibrium constitutive model implemented in a displacement discontinuity code. Two areas of the mine were simulated, namely part of the collapsed area and a second area, with larger pillars that is still stable. This allowed for a preliminary calibration of the limit equilibrium model. The model illustrated that a reduction in friction angle on the partings, owing to the presence of water in the collapse area, seems to be a factor that contributed to the collapse. Although encouraging results are obtained, calibration of the limit equilibrium model remains a challenge. Laboratory testing is required in future to determine the strengths of the weak partings and in particular, the difference in strength of the wet and dry alteration zone material.

Highlights

• Geological alterations substantially reduce the strength of hard rock pillars and the classical approach of using empirical pillar strength formulae for layout design does not work in these cases.

• A novel approach to simulate the pillar failure on a mine-wide scale is presented in this paper and this consists of a displacement discontinuity boundary element method using a limit equilibrium model to represent the pillar failure.

• The collapse of the Everest Platinum Mine in South Africa is described in the paper, it is used to test the proposed methodology, and it provides valuable data for researchers interested in case studies where pillar strength is reduced by weak layers.

• The proposed modelling methodology seems valuable to simulate the pillar failure and to design layouts for these types of ground conditions. Calibration of the limit equilibrium model remains a challenge, however.