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Experimental Study of the Influence of Drawbell Geometry on Hang-Ups in Cave Mine Applications

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Abstract

Coarse arches are a common issue in caving mines where large fragments are expected. These arches interrupt ore flow in drawpoints, decreasing available draw area, and also increasing the possibility of non-uniform draw, which can increase fine migration, mud-rush risk, and induced stress in the caved column. Moreover, hang-up removal is operationally complex and dangerous. The literature on gravity flow indicates that coarse arches are mainly influenced by the ratio between the rock fragments and the size of the opening and stresses, but some key variables have not been quantified. Here, the influence of fragment-size distribution and drawbell geometry on hang-up formation is analyzed through controlled laboratory experiments in a physical model. Results show that drawbell parameters, such as length, width and angle are relevant parameters in hang-up events. In particular, the ratios DL/d80 and DW/d80 as well as VDB/Vp are key to hang-up events, the probability of which will decrease when these ratios increase.

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Abbreviations

α :

Drawbell angle (between extraction drifts, in the minor pillar)

β :

Drawbell angle (between production drifts, in the mayor pillar)

λ i :

i Scaled factor (Here, i = {m, v, l, ρ, g, ϕ})

Cu:

Coefficient of uniformity (Cu = d60/d10)

d i :

Fragment size such that i % of the particles are smaller.

DBi :

Drawbell i (Here, i = {1, 2, 3, 4})

D W :

Drawpoint width

D L :

Drawbell length (measured in the drawbell’s bottom)

H g :

Mean mass between hang-ups.

LHD:

Load Haul Dump equipment

T L :

Top drawbell length

T W :

Top drawbell width

V DB :

Drawbell volume

V p :

Particle volume

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the CONICYT/PIA Project AFB180004. R. Gómez thanks to CONICYT PFCHA/DOCTORADO BECAS CHILE/2019–72180000.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Block Caving, Advanced Mining Technology Center, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Raúl Castro, Sebastian Ortiz & Nicolas Carreño

  2. Codelco, División El Teniente, Rancagua, Chile

    Sebastian López

  3. Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile

    René Gómez

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  1. Raúl Castro
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  3. René Gómez
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  4. Sebastian Ortiz
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  5. Nicolas Carreño
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Correspondence to René Gómez.

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Castro, R., López, S., Gómez, R. et al. Experimental Study of the Influence of Drawbell Geometry on Hang-Ups in Cave Mine Applications. Rock Mech Rock Eng 54, 1–10 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-020-02247-4

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