Mining of structurally complex lodes at Kochbulak fold deposit: Experience and prospects

A critical task of industrial advancement in mineral mining is the use of innovative and upgraded underground mining systems which maximize mineral production. The tectonic structure of the study deposit is governed by a complex multistage process of tectonics and magmatism in the region and by its adjacency to the center of the oval Kochbulak caldera with the northwestward extension with azimuth of 320 deg. The article justifies feasibility of enhanced mining efficiency in structurally complex ore bodies (ore lodes) at Kochbulak gold deposit through the use of improved alternatives of open stoping with ore extraction from sublevel drifts and cross-cuts, room-and-pillar mining and blasting with ore pass chutes. At Kochbulak deposit, ore is currently mostly produced using the conventional technology with preparation and pretreatment of extraction blocks, which negatively affects integrity of the rib and safety pillars as the mining depth increases. The mining systems in use at the deposit at the moment are reviewed, and the mining performance within some years past is described. Some arrangements to enhance ore extraction and metal production are proposed. The optimal parameters of the underground mining systems are suggested.

Akbarov T. G., Urazov J. D., Nishanov A. Sh., Nishanov D. K. Mining of structurally complex lodes at Kochbulak fold deposit: Experience and prospects. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2023;(2):97-110. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236_1493_2023_2_0_97.

T.G. Akbarov¹, Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Assistant Professor, e-mail: akbarov.t.g@mail.ru, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4930-4246,
J.D. Urazov², Chief Engineer, e-mail: urazov.jahongir@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1481-8538,
A.Sh. Nishanov², Deputy Head Site, e-mail: nishanov.akmal.86@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8331-0693,
D.K. Nishanov², Mining Engineer for Occupational Health and Safety, e-mail: nishanov.davron.86@gmail.com, ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6074-6937,
¹ Islam Karimov Tashkent State Technical University, 100095, Tashkent, Uzbekistan,
² Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Combine, Kochbulak mine, 110100, Almalyk, Uzbekistan.

J.D. Urazov, e-mail: urazov.jahongir@gmail.com.

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