Change in rock mass compaction parameters in cave-in zones in the long run

Mining-induced sinkholes are a threat to land infrastructure and economic activities. Many events of unexpected sinkholes on the ground over abandoned mines many years after the mine closure are known. For this reason, for any type of activity in the undermined territories, it is necessary to carefully assess the possible risks of the rock mass movement. This study considers the process of sinkhole formation during underground mining in strong rocks. The test object is Severopeschanskoe iron ore deposit. The research consists in the analysis of the volumes of underground excavations and sinkholes aged 5 to 50 years, and includes determination of the bulking factor determination of collapsed rocks. The change in the latter in time indicates possible completion of the cavity formation process in rock mass. The photogrammetric survey with unmanned aerial vehicles is used to determine the volumes of sinkholes. The observation results show the relationship between compaction indices of collapsed rock mass and the life time of the sinkhole. It is established that within several decades after the appearance of a sinkhole, the deformation rate in rock mass decreases significantly. The bulking factor of 1.12–1.14 indicates sufficient compaction of rocks and stabilization of the surface collapse volumes.

Efremov E. Yu., Konovalova Yu. P. Change in rock mass compaction parameters in cave-in zones in the long run . MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(5—2):53—63. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2021_52_0_53.

The study is carried out within the framework of State Contract No. 07500581-19-00, Topic No. 0405-2019-007.

Efremov E. Yu.¹, Researcher of Rock Movement Laboratory, efremov-eu@mail.ru;
Konovalova Yu. P.¹, Senior Researcher of Rock Movement Laboratory, lisjul@mail.ru;
¹ The Institute of Mining of the Ural branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russia.

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