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Impact of Geological Heterogeneities on Induced-Seismicity in a Deep Sublevel Stoping Mine

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Abstract

With the aim of understanding the nature of mining-induced seismicity, microseismic activity in the deep metal mine of Garpenberg (Sweden) has been recorded during 2 years of excavations. The studied area of the mine is operated using sublevel stoping method with backfilling, between depths of around 1000 and 1300 meters. Spatiotemporal analysis of microseismic activity is presented and correlated with the occurrence of mining blasts. A clear dependence is observed between blasts and seismic sequences, even if the rock mass response to mining appears to be very variable across space and time. Two main clusters are observed: one located in the major production area (Central Cluster), while the second (Right Cluster) is located at some distance from the excavations, in a zone characterized by a heterogeneous distribution of weak materials and stiff rock masses. By analyzing seismic source parameters, we demonstrate that the two clusters are characterized by different dynamics. In addition, we show how Right Cluster events are mainly controlled by geological heterogeneities, which impose high stress concentrations in the stiff rock masses surrounding weak lenses. High apparent stresses and corner frequencies associated with the Right Cluster events agree with our proposed model. This suggests elevated stresses in the seismic source region and small source dimensions; indeed, fractures cannot propagate along great distances due to the presence of weak lenses interbedded with the breaking stiff rock mass.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank Boliden engineers Shahram Mozaffari, Anders Nyström and Peter Fjellström for their support underground the mine and for all the information shared during the project. We gratefully thank Boliden geologists Johan Olsson, Lena Lilja and Michaela Seliö, for discussion and information about local geology in the mine, which significantly helped in improving this work. We also want to thank Boliden and Ineris technical staff for their assistance on the site and with data management. Finally, we thank two anonymous reviewers, and Tomas Fischer the editor, who helped improving this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut National de l’Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Ecole des Mines de Nancy, Campus ARTEM CS14234, 54042, Nancy Cedex, France

    Francesca De Santis, Isabelle Contrucci, Jannes Kinscher & Vincent Renaud

  2. Equipe de Sismologie, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, 1, Rue Jussieu, 75238, Paris Cedex 05, France

    Pascal Bernard

  3. GeoRessources, Campus ARTEM-Mines Nancy, Université de Lorraine, BP 1423, 92, Rue Du Sergent Blandan, 54 042, Nancy Cedex, France

    Francesca De Santis & Yann Gunzburger

Authors
  1. Francesca De Santis
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  2. Isabelle Contrucci
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  3. Jannes Kinscher
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  4. Pascal Bernard
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  5. Vincent Renaud
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  6. Yann Gunzburger
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Correspondence to Isabelle Contrucci.

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De Santis, F., Contrucci, I., Kinscher, J. et al. Impact of Geological Heterogeneities on Induced-Seismicity in a Deep Sublevel Stoping Mine. Pure Appl. Geophys. 176, 697–717 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-018-2020-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-018-2020-9

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