In-situ blast vibration monitoring in cemented rockfill stope – a case study

AbstractSublevel stoping methods with delayed backfill are employed for mining tabular steeply dipping ore bodies. Cemented rockfill (CRF) is a type of backfill with simple operation, moderate capital cost while acquiring good strength. CRF stope is subjected to blast-induced vibrations during production blasting in adjacent stopes. Excessive dynamic load may destabilise backfill stope that leads to dilution of precious ore. Blast-induced vibrations can be monitored to assess the stability of CRF and to determine the blast waveforms for a detailed analysis using numerical models. This paper aims to establish that excessive blast-induced vibrations are the prime cause of backfill dilution at the case study mine. A detailed methodology and results of monitoring blast-induced vibrations in backfill are also presented. Blast vibrations are monitored in a CRF stope using three dimensional geophones and blast vibration monitors. The monitoring results obtained are processed and analysed to produce results in te...