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Rapid tunnel/shaft development

Rapid tunnel/shaft development. M. Cai GRC/MIRARCO, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada. Kaiser (2007). The Need for Speed. Many mining companies are converting open-pit to underground operations.

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Rapid tunnel/shaft development

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  1. Rapid tunnel/shaft development M. Cai GRC/MIRARCO, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada

  2. Kaiser (2007) The Need for Speed • Many mining companies are converting open-pit to underground operations. • Rio Tinto alone needs to, on average, sink 5 shafts/yr (~1500 m) and develop 80 km of tunnels/yr for the next 12 years. • Mine Construction (Net Present Value (NPV) study of a large mine) • Critical Path Development Critical path construction reduced by 1 yr  ΔNPV $73M  increased by 1 yr  ΔNPV $91M  Development cost savings ($1,000/m) 􀃆  ΔNPV $42M  • Rapid Tunnel Development Rate increased from 4-5m/d by 25%  ΔNPV $ 65M  Rate increased by 100% 􀃆  ΔNPV $195M  Speed is King

  3. Projects • Boltless support – develop means to rationally assess ground conditions for safe tunnel development under boltless support. • Rock support design and selection rationale – Provide guidelines for cost-effective rock support design in weak and highly stressed grounds. • Rock mass strength at great depth – develop method to correctly assess rock mass strength in deep grounds. • Rapid tunnel/shaft development – develop techniques such as excavation staging and innovative support such as gabion formation and composite support to facilitate rapid tunnel/shaft development. • Going underground – mining and tunneling in weakground • Going deep - mining and tunneling in highly stressed ground • Going faster – rapid tunnel/shaft development

  4. Benefits • For mining companies  Multi-kilo-million $ opportunities • For investors/shareholders  Good return on investment • For miners  Safe work environment • For us (researchers)  A great path leading to discovery, contribution to R&D, and professional fulfillment/satisfaction

  5. Partners • Rio Tinto • …… • Collaborator –A • Collaborator –B • …… GRC/ MIRARCO

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