Challenges in Deep and High Stress Mining

As shallow resources are depleted, mining is expected to take place at ever-increasing depths. Safe, healthy and profitable deep mining is only possible if many serious challenges are overcome. For example, rock temperatures will increase, requiring improved ventilation and cooling. Changes in air pressure can affect both the eardrums of mine workers and the calibration of instruments to measure flammable gases. Rock stresses will increase to the point that the rock strength is exceeded, resulting in mining-related seismicity and rock bursting. Consequently, it is imperative that seismogenic structures are recognised in advance and those excavations are reinforced to be rockburst resistant. In this course, we will look at technical and management strategies to meet these challenges.