Skip to main content
Book cover

Slate as Dimension Stone pp 159–201Cite as

Mining of Slate and Production

  • 339 Accesses

Part of the Springer Mineralogy book series (MINERAL)

Abstract

Slate has been mined in open-pit quarries and underground mines. The different methods of exploitation and common terms are explained in this chapter. Before mining begins, geoscientific exploration and a mining plan has to be established. The chapter describes the steps within the geological investigation, leading to a geological model as a prerequisite for a subsequent rock mass classification such as the RMR value (Rock Mass Rating) and the GSI (Geological Strength Index) and a final geotechnical model of the slate deposit. Rock failures and related geotechnical safety aspects during mining of the slate deposit are defined. The investigation is completed by the explanation and illustration of the stress distribution and rock-mechanical behaviour of the planned excavations which are crucial for mine stability. Two examples for room and pillar design of underground mines are introduced. These explanations are accompanied by the description of failure criteria such as the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion and the Hoek-Brown failure criterion. These criteria assume a rock-mechanically isotropic rock and since slate is a rock-mechanically anisotropic rock, the Ubiquitous-Joint Model is applied. Mining of slate is followed by the more or less immediate production of different slate products, mostly of roofing slate. The production ranges from a very basic and simple manner to a production with automats or by means of robots with few manpower involved only. The various steps, different techniques and important factors of the roofing slate production are introduced. Besides roofing slate, also the production of crushed slate and expanded slate are explained.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-35667-5_6
  • Chapter length: 43 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-030-35667-5
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 6.1
Fig. 6.2
Fig. 6.3

(courtesy of Mr. Cattelein 2017)

Fig. 6.4
Fig. 6.5
Fig. 6.6
Fig. 6.7
Fig. 6.8

(after Deere 1963)

Fig. 6.9

(after Bieniawski 1993)

Fig. 6.10

(after Bieniawski 1989)

Fig. 6.11
Fig. 6.12
Fig. 6.13
Fig. 6.14

(redrawn after Pfeiffer and Salzmann 1954)

Fig. 6.15
Fig. 6.16
Fig. 6.17
Fig. 6.18
Fig. 6.19

(after Konietzky and Walter 2009, unpublished)

Fig. 6.20
Fig. 6.21
Fig. 6.22

(after Konietzky and Wichert 2018, unpublished)

Fig. 6.23

(after Twiss and Moores 2007)

Fig. 6.24
Fig. 6.25

(after Twiss and Moores 2007)

Fig. 6.26
Fig. 6.27
Fig. 6.28

(Source Wikicommons, photographer profile deleted 2017); e and f Punching of slate in the company of Camara Slate (NY, USA)

Fig. 6.29
Fig. 6.30

References

  • Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications

    Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1993) Design methodology for rock engineering: principles and practice. In: Hudson JA, Brown ET, Fairhurst C, Hoek E (eds) Comprehensive rock engineering. Pergamon, Oxford, pp 779–793

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady BHG, Brown ET (2006) Rock mechanics for underground mining. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Deere DU (1963) Technical description of rock cores for engineering purposes. Rock Mech Eng Geol 1:16–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Helms W, Witting H (1986) Dachschieferbergbau im Norden des Rheinischen Schiefergebirges. Erzmetall 39:101–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrouin Y, Le Corre C, Limasset JC (1970) Ardoisières du Morbihan, 205

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek EB, Brown ET (1980) Underground excavations in rock. Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoek EB, Brown ET (1997) Estimacion de la resistencia de macizos rocosos en la practica, 28

    Google Scholar 

  • Itasca (2004) UDEC—Universal distinct element code—theory and background. Itasca Consulting Group, Inc., Minneapolis

    Google Scholar 

  • Konietzky H, Walter K (2009) Standsicherheitsberechnungen/Dimensionierung für das Dachschieferbergwerk Katzenberg, 50

    Google Scholar 

  • Konietzky H, Wichert J (2018) Standsicherheitsberechnungen für die Dachschiefegrube Felicitas

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz WG, Gwosdz W (1997) Bewertungskriterien für Industrieminerale, Steine und Erden—Teil 1: Tone. Geol Jahrb 2:103–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Marinos P, Hoek E (2000) GSI: a geologically friendly tool for rock mass strength estimation. In: Proceedings of international conference geotechnology and geology engineering, GeoEng2000. Technomic Publication, 1422–1442

    Google Scholar 

  • Mende M (1995) Untersuchung der Abbaugeometrien im Abbaufeld Glückauf des Bergwerks Katzenbach

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeiffer H, Salzmann G (1954) Grundriss Schiefergebiet Unterloquitz, Thüringen (internal report, unpub.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Read J, Stacey P (2009) Guidelines for open pit slope design. CRC Press, Leiden

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Stein EA (1986) Untersuchungsmethoden für Metall- und Nichtmetallrohstoffe, Kernenergierohstoffe, feste Brennstoffe und bituminöse Gesteine. In: Bender F (ed) Angewandte Geowissenschaften -, vol IV. Ferdinand Enke Verlag, Stuttgart

    Google Scholar 

  • Twiss RJ, Moores EM (2007) Structural geology. W.H. Freeman & Co. Ltd., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittke W (1984) Felsmechanik—Grundlagen für wirtschaftliches Bauen im Fels. Springer, Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geotechnical Institute, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany

    Jörn Wichert

Authors
  1. Jörn Wichert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jörn Wichert .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Wichert, J. (2020). Mining of Slate and Production. In: Slate as Dimension Stone. Springer Mineralogy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35667-5_6

Download citation