Justification of technological parameters for mining deep steeply dipping thin ore bodies
A.N. Avdeev1, E.L. Sosnovskaya1, A.M. Pavlov2
1 Institute of Mining of the Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Ekaterinburg, Russian Federation
2 Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №5S/ 2025 p. 85-91
Abstract: Underground mining of steeply dipping thin ore bodies is a challenging and labour-intensive process. In order to increase the efficiency of ore mining, a geotechnology of sub-level stepped face benching along the strike was developed and tested, which enable selective ore mining in confined conditions of thin veins with variable dip and strike angles. The mining system successfully passed commercial trials in developing of the upper levels of the Konevinsky deposit and has been adopted for mining the lower levels, as well as recommended for application at the similar Kholbinsky mine at the depth exceeding 1 km. A need has emerged to refine parameters of the implemented mining system. Corresponding digital finite element geomechanical models were developed and model calculations were performed. Based on the results obtained, the most unstable elements of the mining system were identified, i.e. the rock mass around of the development drifts, entry pillars and safety pillars of the raise. It is proposed to introduce technical measures to ensure the safety of mining operations. Rock walls, gate stulls, rock bolts and expansion-type support for the stopes with a calculated support spacing of 1–2.5 m are proposed. The pillars should be extracted when mining of the producing block. Once the pillars are extracted, the stoping area will be localized by the caved rock. The estimated thickness of the caved zone is 2–3 m, which is less than the designed distance to the rock drifts. It is proposed to increase the stability of the rock drifts by removing them from the stopes to a safe distance of 12–16 m, at which the hazardous rupture deformations do not develop. Visual and acoustic monitoring is recommended when testing the mining system at great depths.
Keywords: thin steeply dipping veins, great depths, underground mining systems, stress-and-strain state, geomechanical conditions
Acknowledgements: The study was carried out within the framework of State Contract No. 75-00410-25-00, State Reg. No. 1022040300093-0-1.5.1, Topic 3 (2025–2027) ‘Identification of patterns in development of geodynamic processes in conditions of man-induced transformation of subsurface areas and development of measures to improve mining safety (FUWE-2025-0003)’.
For citation: Avdeev A.N., Sosnovskaya E.L., Pavlov A.M. Justification of technological parameters for mining deep steeply dipping thin ore bodies. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(5S):85–91. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-5S-85-91
Article info
Received: 15.08.2025
Revised: 06.10.2025
Accepted: 09.10.2025
Information about the authors
Arkadiy N. Avdeev – Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Research Worker, Institute of Mining of the Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Elena L. Sosnovskaya – Cand. Sci. (Geol. & Mineral.), Senior Research Worker, Institute of Mining of the Ural Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Aleksandr M. Pavlov – Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
References
1. Vasilyev D.S., Pavlov A.M. Justification of underground gold placer development parameters for the Konevinsky deposit. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 2020;408:012042. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/408/1/012042
2. Avdeev A.N., Sosnovskaya E.L., Pavlov A.M. Validation of safe and efficient mining geotechnologies for low thickness steeply declining ore bodies at depths above 1,000 m. Izvestiya Tulskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta. Nauki o Zemle. 2022;(2):169–180. (In Russ.)
3. Lee S.W., Chung P.W. Finite element method for solids and structures: A concise approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2021. 366 p.
4. Bokiy I.B., Zoteev O.V., Pul V.V., Pul E.K. Selection of basic data for numerical modeling of rock mass stress state at Mirny Mining and Processing Works, Alrosa Group of Companies. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 2018;134:012008. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/134/1/012008
5. Sosnovskaya E.L., Avdeev A.N. Estimated analysis of the natural stress fields complexity in Eastern Sayan gold-ore vein deposits. Izvestiya Tulskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta. Nauki o Zemle. 2021;(4):464–474. (In Russ.)
6. Vlokh N.P. Upravlenie gornym davleniem na podzemnykh rudnikakh [Rock pressure management in underground mines]. Moscow: Nedra; 1994. 208 p. (In Russ.)
7. Zubkov A.V. Geomekhanika i geotekhnologiya [Geomechanics and geotechnology]. Yekaterinburg: Institute of Mining of the Ural Branch of RAS; 2001. 333 p. (In Russ.)
8. Roshchektaev P.A., Goneger A.V. Neoproterozoic volcanism of the southeastern part of the Eastern Sayan and the associated gold mineralization. In: Mineralogiya Severo-Vostochnoy Azii: materialy 3-y Vseros. nauch.-prakt. konf., posvyashch. 20-letiyu kafedry geologii Buryat. gos. un-ta, g. Ulan-Ude, 13–17 noyab. 2012 g. [Mineralogy of Northeast Asia: Proc. 3rd All-Russian Sci. and Pract. Conf. dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Department of Geology of Buryat State University, Ulan-Ude, November 13-17, 2012]. Ulan-Ude: ID "Ekos"; 2012. p. 136–140. (In Russ.)
9. Gordienko I.V., Gorokhovsky D.V., Roshchektaev P.A. Oka ore district of the Eastern Sayan: geology, structural–metallogenic zonation, genetic types of ore deposits, their geodynamic formation conditions, and outlook for development. Geology of Ore Deposits. 2016;58(5):361–382. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1075701516050044
10. Zhu Z., Jiang Z., Accornero F., Carpinteri A. Correlation between seismic activity and acoustic emission on the basis of in situ monitoring. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. 2024;24(11):4133–4143. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-4133-2024
11. Gladyr A., Rasskazov M., Konstantinov A., Tereshkin A. Algorithm for calculating hazard areas of a rock massif based on geomechanical data. E3S Web of Conferences. 2019;129:01002. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201912901002
12. Rasskazov I.Yu., Fedotova Iu.V., Anikin P.A., Migunov D.S., Konstantinov A.V. Improvement of methods and means of geomechanical monitoring based on digital technologies. Russian Mining Industry. 2023;(5S):18–24. https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2023-5S-18-24
