Comprehensive evaluation method of stope stability and its application in deep metal mine

by Zhaojun Qi, Huanxin Liu, Zhihai An, Yantian Yin, Zhen Liu, Mingde Zhu, Yunsen Wang, Hong Zhou

The problem of high stress conditions is a critical challenge for mining activity in deep metal mines, and the difficulty and economic cost of maintaining stope stability also increases. In order to ensure stope stability in the mining process, it is necessary to evaluate stope stability for a more stable stope structure. However, there are many kinds of methods for rock stability assessment, and most of them are based on empirical and analytical methods, which lead to uncertain results. In this paper, a comprehensive evaluation method including factors of stope stability, self-stabilization time, maximum safety span, and support measure is determined, which is more likely to provide a comprehensive result. Finally, it was verified by the field application in Jiaojia Gold Mine. Results show that it can accurately evaluate the stope stability from different aspects compared with the traditional single evaluation method, and it leads to a more comprehensive and reliable result.