Coolgardie Gold NL - William Ford Decline: Narrow Vein Sub-Level Up-Hole Mechanised Stoping and Long Hole Rise Blasting Practices G Mills’ and D will? ABSTRACT This presentation io outline the cument practice of mechanized sping 8 oneaetie wide, gold bearing ore body 10 optimise fragmentation, ‘minimis laden srl reduce sping costs CCoolgardie underground eporaons fave historically boon mined using ‘rational shrink sip methods, bat ni een eonemis environment (With falling gold prices and high costs of tional methods) it was rnecestny 16 look for elicmative methods in ener to reduce costs and Inereae prodsctivity. Although sll in a Tearing snd refinement phase, CGNL i steed that itis feasible, practical and mote ezonomi 1 wie mechanised Leng Uuphole stope and long-hole rising methods lo signifcenly redice the ining coat, reduce dition, nares eafety and inorese pradactivty threecfolé compared to raion srleg methods seed thronghout the Easter Goldfields INTRODUCTION ‘The objective of this paper is to broadly review and analyse techniques and practices for nero vein mechanised up-hole stoping and long hole ising at Coolgardie Gold NL Many attempts to mechanise narrow ore bodies have been tunderiaken with varying degrees of success, throughout the Goldfields but not tothe extent that CGNL has sehieved. Typical success with the mediod has mined 0.5 » 12m wicths over & 19 m stope heights anc 200 m stike lengths. A similar method is used in Canadian mines with 2.m wide stopes, however, 0.8 LO, mechanised open scpng wis s+ word. clas ‘The development ofthis method of narrow vein stoping comes at x time of ever decreasing gold price and an ever increasing ptice of skilled arleg miners. A number of sub-economie airleg ‘ore deposits currenlly on hold aveaiting a rise in the price of gold could be mined using this method, made possible by purpose. built up hole dsl units on the market today. ‘The Bayleys project is located approximately one kilomewe cast of Coolganie along the Great Easiern Highway. The mine has two ore bodies, namely the Kings Cross Lode and the Bayleys New Lodes. These ore bodies intersect to form roughly an angled “T" junction, The Kings Cross Lode is a quart vein, with 2 basalt contact on both the fool-wall and hanging. Which is extremely competent with compressive stzengih in ‘excess of 200 Mpa, The Bayleys lode has a thin shale contact on the banging-wall and a basalt conigct on the foot-wall. Both ore bodies are approximately 1.0 mewe thick (up to approximately 1.5 metes maximum) and dip between 47 and 85 degrees. The previous method of mining at the Bayleys Reward Mine ‘was shrinkage stoping, up until 1963 when the mine was closed by Gold Mines of Kalgoorlie. ‘The altemative used at Caolgerdie Gold is narrow vein mechanised sb-level op-hole stoping, ‘This involves the drilling of long, yp-holes rough to the next level whereby a lage vertical slice is blasted down on the lower 1. Formerly Mine Superintendent, Coolgardie Gold NE, 2, Formerly Site Mining Engineer, Coolgaidie Gold NL, Nacow Voi Ming Seminar level to be mucked out by a low profile front end loader (see Figure 1). Fi 1 Typical layout and soguencing fr undergroan development ant ‘mining ‘This method requires quite a large amount of development work before production blasts can take piace, Alter this is completed however, considerable amounts of ore can be won from a single fring, The primary advantage of using up-holes is Usa it costs approximately half of the conventional method of xtracting the ore with ailogs using shrinkage or gallery stoping, ‘The mechanised method has the potential for much greater production capacity. MINE ACCESS ‘The mine has access via a 5.0 m x 5.5 m x 2km (1:8 gradient) decline fiom the base of the Kings Cross pit. Commenced in July 1989 and completed in September 1991, the decline accesses both the Kings Cross and Bayleys North and South lodes. ORE DEVELOPMENT. ‘The ore development drives are 2.5 m wide, 3.5 m high on th lode (predominanily quartz), and are located every 135 vertically (see Figures 2a and 2b), ‘A refinement during development to prevent dilution from ‘ow fresting is to lean the drive with the lay of the country ‘minimising the unsupported hanging wall (see Figures 3a and 3b), Ore development drives are mined using sm Eimco Quaser Single Boom Etecisic Hydzavlic Jumbo. Bogging (or mucking) of the ore development headings and the slopes are with Toro 150 LHDs. Although: not designed for such long trams, these boggers Boncigo Vie, 17-18 une 1800 ”Gand WILLD FIGURE 2a FlauRE 2b BAYLEYS KINGS CROSS LODE Porphyry tz /Shales, salt wow / Biotite Altered HW Ore Body Basalt por sge eects (s/s) Ultramatic ‘8-15 a Basalt “Fy aw Bosalt F/W 35m / ona] | / Hie 2 Cross section atypical oe design. typically haul 200 -250 m (maximum 350 ra) from the facet the stockpile a ihe edge ofthe decline UPHOLE DRILLING ‘The bist holes were drilled using a Tamrock pneumatic air-rack from July 1989 to March 1991. This machine had t0 be towed between levels and became quite time consuming snd nor-prodvetve although its pesformance at the face was quite good. Since March 1991, @ diesel, hydraulic, ruber tyre, imco-Secoma Mercury 14 TL/DE-E50 long hole production rig hs been used for all up-hole drilling. This machine is specifically designed for small to medium headings and is thus well sulted to the 2.5 mevre wide by 3.5 mete high developmen: headings. ‘The machine utilises diesel power for both tamming and drilling. hae @ 4-WD carrier which helps i clin up inclines of ep tol. Holes ar drilled along the edge of the ore-Wwaste contact. Whan the ore body width is greater than 1.2 metres (say, 1.5 m, the up-holes are still drilled the same widih apart (1.2 m) and parallel to the ore contacts. All up-holes ate drilled at right angles tthe strike of the ore body, ie 90 degree dusmp angle (le vertical). All holes aze drilled to breakthrough with 1.2 mee long extension rods, primarily using 51 or 97 mm disraeter drill bits, ‘There are two types of rod used (both R-32). They are coupling rods (use a threaded coupling to connect two rods) and speed rods (which have coupling cast into the rod) outin UPHOL Prior to charging the holes, they are blown out with compressed nis aids the romovel of foreign debris and any other blockages which can occur, This process is somewhat time ‘consuming but ie very important BLASTING Fig 3 Adjusted lea dive development to suit lay of county for carro! ‘of dion, ” Bencigo Vie, 17-18 June 1093 Novrow Veinhining Seminar‘The hokes are blow loaded with Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) and ae inated using non-elecaie millisecond detonators (Nonels). ‘The ANFO is losded into the holes yia « pneumatically Powered loader at a density of 09 glen. ‘The up-holes are charged along their entire length. As the hole diameters are reasonably small, there js no problem of excess spilling from the vup-hotes, ‘ANFO js used for blasting where the holes are diy. If ring takes place some time after the initial charging procedure, the explosive may absorb some water and thus loose. some sensitivity. When holes are wet, ANFO is pumped into waterproof sleeves. These sleeves are either a clear, lay-flat plastic eubing or a ‘vent bag” type tube, Primers are 150 gram (with 67 per cent PETN explosive and a velocity of detonstion ‘VOD of 6800 m/sec) 2 m fromm the colar of the hole DRILL AND BLASTING PRACTICES General Easly winls of the sub-tevel long up-hole method were deilled ‘sing 51 mm holes but are now exclusively drilled using $7 mm diameter holes Figure 4 illustrates typical design pattems for ore widths of 2m. Widths greater than 2.0m changes the pattern away from a 1c staggered patiern, Pl bore Zone (1m wide) i 07m Hole Locatic } i i Drive Outline {25m wide} i I i i I 1 | Fh 4 Typical pattem for 1 m wide crsbody (plan view). ‘As you can se, the 1:1 staggered pattem relies on blest angles ‘or geometry of an equilateral wiangle (60 degrees). ‘The tighter the ore, the closer the burden required to achieve the required geomeny, Each hole (one per row) is fred in sequence on 25 ms - 100 ms delays, up to six or seven holes per fring, DESIGN PARAMETERS History ‘When Jong up-hole stoping began in 1989 this concept took on a how meaning when it was discovered that we were selective mining (not bulk mining) to 1m width, ‘The learning curve never ends end js indicated by the sequence of changing parameters and te following basic pattems: Navow Vein Mining Serinac (COOLGARDIE GOLD NL.- WILLIAM FORD DECLINE Pro 1964 Shrink Stoping with airlegs 15 - 20 m wis oct89 = (Mechanised) 2:1:2 patie 1.2m spacing 05 m burden Powder Factor 7. 9 kgiCy m $1 sm iameter holes. Resultant witih 2-3 ma, 1990 = 2:22 pattem was introduced 1.2 mspacing 075 m burden Powder Factor $ - 6KgyCx m $7 an ‘diameter holes. Resultent width I -2'm, May9! = 1:1 Staggered pattern 0.8 - 1.2 m spacing 05-0.7 mburden Powder Pactor 2.5 - 3 Kp/Cu m $7 mm diameter holes, Resultant width 11.2. STANDARD FORMULAE AND FLOW CHART ‘The mining wich achioved at present is based on the following formulae and in nearly all cases is mined to the desired plan, The _ologist decides te width of the ore zane (spacing) o8m 10m 13m Engineer designs ring burdens usm oem O7m ‘The ring burdens are marked up by the surveyor using. a shadow dia, ‘The long up-hole blast pattern is marked up in situ by dhe ining engineer nel any local adjustments are made on site ‘This scale long up-Role stoping is different to other narzow (2 my) stopes in that we currently use a single hole per row for firing the width ofthe stope compared to two of three for other narsow vein methods, For the ore to ill. the dip ofthe ore should not be les than 40 « 45 degrees from the horizontal The main challenge using a single hole to blast the ore ficiently i: Drill accuracy kis essential that the up-hole dbiller takes time to sot up in the Position meried by the mining engineer or surveyor A misaligned hole will prevent all following holes from firing out or ‘ay break the hanging.wall or foot-wall eausing over mining ad ilaion. The drill rig is lined up on a ring using dell lasers located on the slide of the boom. IF the tup-hole is unable to be Bena Ve, 17-18 dune 1088 ”MILLS, 2 MILLS, and WILL, D ile, is left ant the maining enginoee designs and marks up a new position, Hanging-wall and foot-walt ‘The more competent the hanging-wall and foot-wall, the easier tis Ulsst result aze to achieve. At CGNL, a method specifcaly Geveloped can successfully blast out the ore leaving bein We, relatively altered zone and the true hanging-wall aad foot well intact. As shown in Figure 3, itis very easy to overcharge hy using too many holes and high stength explosive) the ore sone weg bea back tothe tue hanging-wall of foatowal giving 100 per cont diluion (or greater), nitiation of each hote 1 is essential that cach hole goes off in sequence ax planned 100 per cent ofthe time. Af ay Pat ofthe hole fais to inline, de result inevitably ip a iptidee' which has to bo recited and fired causing delays, Ail best designs are caried out by the mining engincer wir va Coss sections of the ore body and loca! knowledge to hives ‘maximum production rales with minimum costs and fits ination/reduction in the number of bridges The mining engincer has to continually monitor and work on Us of telucing the numberof bridges. "The eases wil vary + inaccurate drilling [_ seelogical conditions, faults causing blast hore cut-off ete + priming attop or cente of hole; 2 Incomeet use of waterproof sieves in basting: + charging wet holes without waterprcof sleeves; + Boring to breakthrough thus cresting wet holes, + anfo falling from holes; + poor initiation; * explosive desensitisation due wo closely spaced holes where ‘explosive is compressed past ts eitcal density; and * explosive distribution inthe dil hote, FUTURE PLANNING 1n future planning for Stage 2 of the decline, CGNL has decided ‘on the following mining parameters 1. 15m vericaly between levels, yprosimately 15.5 upp. 2. 1.0m dell hole spacing between hanging-wall hoes, 3. 17 decline using six-wheel drive, 25-tonne trucks, 4. Cenualisetion of decline access levels a the centioid of the Bayleys oro body, ‘The reasons for these changes are mainly economic * less level development, eliminating one level in thre levels With current mining practices; * ete ‘aviling accuracy methods have been developed, ‘mainly laser dil Tights for set-up enabling longer hole ag be died; + mare tonnes per firing; * foteating both sides of levels together thus increasing Production; + multi heading development; + centralisation of ventilation and services; + Simm diameter blast holes to be trialled; and * low density explosives to be trialed, 4 Bondo Vie 17 ‘THE BOTTOM LINE AIRLEG MECHANISED Airteg Mechanised ‘Tesfnan shift 30 0 Mined stope wis 151m 08-12m Mil ecencited grade Tah Weg Constenne $33.00 si4s0 NB: This table indicates the cost-saving for stoping only. Additional savings are recorded of the mill due to less waste from dilution) being treated, Only oscasional pills are lft in Jong hole stopes which gives flr recovery of the ore reserve, Curent ote body recovery of cent has been left because of long-tole pillars (80 pet cent of ie Ore body has been mined with long-holes, while 20 per cast hee bbeen mined with ailegs) LONG HOLE RISING Thoughout tie Golf, long hole rising is used on only « very small scale, yet iL is a moch safer and more costetfoctie Frthod of rising than arlg rising or “gig ssing, All Coolgavdie Gold NL's underground venilaion rises have been invalid Eig the in-Uwethole hammer eriling equipment and long hols basting techniques, A.case study pdt the Bayleys mine. A survey pick-up of the ise can be: Seeetin Figure 5. The conte hole was plarmed at 30" (162 am) so | diameter and the outside holes were 514" (140 mm) in diameey | ‘The rise was Grilled using a Cuber rig and back reamed with a | ‘luster hammer to excavate the 30 hole. | [The theory behind this design is that 30 per cent extra arca is i Allowed for swell than the atea of said tock (see Figure 6), 3 ‘After the 30° hole was back-seamed 26 m (ie 43 m from the | collar the cluster hammer was tnabic to advance further becewre (of adog.teg in the pilot hole, ‘To cnsure the top 43 m could be blasted, three extra holes were | (tiled around the 14° hole to 3 m below the 30” hole. The bottom 30 m fired off very successfully, The fring method used was to fire 10 m of the closest hole (I2), then fie 10-m of the ‘ox closest hole (#3), then fire the next two oes (#8 and #11) ito the rise, Problems occured at de 39m level (4m above the 30” hole), ‘The rise was charged in a sinlar manner as peoviously desorbed int Mfoze. To clear th rise, the ouside holes were fied out op tps level Once the rise was cleared, the rss progressed wellty the 28 m mark by firing 5 m sections off. This seemed wo te Working well so the charge height was increased to cight meus dau the rise foze again. Again te outside holes were brought op {Paiaar the frozen are in the cente ofthe ise. To avoid freezing the rise again, all the centre holes were fred 3- 4m ata ime ne 1 second delays. This worked very successfully and all hoi excepto were fixed on te breakthrough shot, Before each blast, all holes were measured with a wooden rpgtucing stick on the end of = 100 m tape. Wooden wedger (125 mm diameter) tied onto nylon rope were used to block he fotomt ofthe holes. Dropping s couple of hens of stemming fon the wedge seals the holes so that the ANFO cannon int though, 18 June 1962 arom Vein Mining SonicaBetton of 30° Hoe oS - Plan vow of the veel 691 re showing hole dei Tia - Coclgrde gold standard vent rise design Narrow Vein Ming Sominar Bendigo Vie, 17- sBJune 1880, (COOLGARDIE GOLD NI.- WILLIAM FORD DECLINE o=» Bese Sea 1:25 ion wih surveyed colar and bresthrough psiins Emulite explosives 140 mm diameter and 400 myn long were ut and used in wet holes, ANFO was used inthe dry holes and Tsanol was used! in the breakthrough shot. 400 gram boosters ‘wore wsed with V4 second Nonel detonators to initiate the holes, All holes were stemmed with 0.5 «1,0 m of 10 - 20 mum coarse ‘angular gravel to protect the hole collars and confine the Blast, Future refinements Options + wseomly 514". 614 "hotes + use 14" holes with 514” - 612" holes + use 30" hotes with 544 "- 612" holes ‘The length of long hole rises that ean be blasted depends ofthe ‘kill accuracy. 75 m- 90 m seems to be te maximorn feng For 40 m - 50m rises 51S" . 619" holes should be the best and ‘most economic option, For 50 - 80 m rises, reaming holes will probably be requted 30” hoes ate an expensive option and it may be better to nse one to three 14” reamer holes in the tse design.My 58"-68 05-F0m stenming 3m oF anto or isanot dur 40=50m LONGHOLE RISE DESIGN IP Booster & oat see 25 Rocks to book nae Collar pon, ® © @® Breakthrough @ ® ae (Rett pita ® © iY o———_—— Fio7 A copy of a design that CGNL intend Ventilation rises is shown in Fi Bendigo Vie, 17-18 ne 1669 ol uy to blast too much at bridging and otier problems, For rises of 50 - 80 m, there neads the design patter, CGNL will be excovari intends to uy another pattem, This is sil to be fneligen ‘ma ayo rope and get cor tines Hote ta +e +s + + *e te vo +7 1 te 2 8 time as this tends to cause frei to be moze refinements t9 ing 8 61 m rise and Narow Vein Ming Serinar1k is very important to survey pick-up collar positions and breakthrough poritions. A tight control is also required on the blasting procedures. A lot of problems can be eliminated if the dill and blast engincer issues all plans, blasting design sheets and supervises each blast, ‘On past experience, long-hole rising should be between 20 and 40 percent chesper than aireg rising methods, CONCLUSION ‘The development of mechanised stoping for narrow veins (<1.S m) and their use to mine atherwise tmecomomie are bodies is areality at CGNL, Narrow Vein Mong Seriner (COOLGARDIE.GOLD NI. WILLIAM FORD DECLINE. Aliiough every mine hss is specific ste problems, we have outlined an approach which rakes narrow vein stoping into. ‘much smaller and narrower scale of operation, ‘The most fundamental aspect of this method relies on dill racy and the J:1:1 staggered drill patiem to achieve increased Prodvetion with negligible diluion at half the cost of aileg scoping Long-hole rising is more cost-effective for both safety and ‘economic reasons. This method is used extensively in other ‘mining contes in Australia and should eventvally replace gig rising in the Goldfields Beneigo Vie, 17-18 June 1988 n