Utilization of Dynamic and Physical Properties of Ice in Underground Mining Operations

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Fangel, Henning
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1977
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000029609; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000029609

Abstract In sub-level caving mining operations, the lateral walls cave in. This results in dilution of the mineral content of the produced ore by 15%-20% waste rock. Also 15%-20% of the valuable ores are lost in the caved wall material that is left behind in the mined-out rooms. Placing ice, in the form of a small glacier, in the mine-room before the lateral walls start to cave, permit complete recovery of ore reserves without dilution. The glacier will advance at a rate permitted by ore extraction processes, in accordance with glaciological theories and laws. Volumes of ice that are required may be calculated from ore extraction rates, power consumed in the mine, ventilating air volumes and temperatures, specific heat and thermal conductivity of the lateral rock. The required ice volumes can be produced through natural freezing of water, where the winter temperatures regularly fall below 0°C for a predictable period every winter. Use of ice as a mining aid reduces costs of the ore extraction process by about one-third and increases value of the produced ore by about 20%. Thus, the value of a given orebody is increased by about 30% relative to the values experienced in the most efficient mines of today.