A long hole stoping system for mining

narrow platinum reefs

by P. van Dorssen*, P. Valicek*, M. Farren*, G. Harrison*,
W. Joubert*, R.G.B. Pickering†, and H.J. van Rensburg‡

Introduction ➤ Services requirement

➤ Ore removal and cleaning requirement
In South African metalliferous mines, stoping operations are ➤ Training requirement
largely confined to narrow, tabular orebodies making
mechanization extremely difficult. Limited flexibility in terms
of stope width has necessitated drilling by means of hand Safety targets
held, pneumatic rock drills at most of our operations. As the
All persons involved with the project had to adhere to the
largest producer of platinum in the world, we drill in excess
mine’s safety programmes including the zero-tolerance
of forty million stope blast holes per annum. Cleaning of the
campaign, and were required to report all hazards observed
broken ore is also done by conventional means—utilizing
immediately. Mine personnel and Tamrock carried out a full
scrapers and scraper winches. Conventional methods such as
risk assessment on the drill rig before transporting
these carry high costs in terms of risk exposure as well as
underground. A further risk assessment was carried out
labour intensity.
when the machine was in position underground.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the development
of a long hole stoping system suitable for the narrow
platinum reefs. The new system had to be substantially safer Mining layout
and more cost effective than conventional mining. We
selected a site that was conducive to mechanized mining and See Figure 1 and Figure 2 for a detailed description.
set out the parameters that we considered would meet our
requirements. We then conducted a feasibility study to Drill rig
evaluate the conceptualized long hole stoping system in
terms of specific goals. An analysis of the proposed system The drill rig was a combination of a Secoma P-Low LC 10
identified the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). One of the long hole feed and an Axera low profile carrier. The choice of
most critical goals was to be able to create a man-free stope. this equipment was made through consultation with Tamrock
This would mitigate the safety risk associated with normal
stoping operations, as well as the inefficiency cost previously
referred to.
Other challenges included setting targets for long hole
accuracy, stoping width reduction and specific blasting
system performance for long hole stoping. We also modelled
a critical span that we considered to be inherently safe and to
ensure hangingwall stability, throw-blast cleaning and
overall system productivity. Anglo Platinum Research and
Development and Sandvik Tamrock entered into an
agreement for the supply of a specialized long hole-drilling
machine. The system was implemented and tested by the
mine with the support of the other participants.
The results achieved met our expectations. It was
demonstrated that with this method of mining it is possible
to have a man-free/support-free stope face and to achieve a Figure 1—Mining concept—isometric
reduction in shaft head cost per ton whilst reducing dilution.

Key performance indicators assessed during the trial

* Anglo Platinum, Gauteng, South Africa.
➤ Safety targets
† Sandvik Tamrock, Gauteng, South Africa.
➤ Mining layout
‡ African Explosives Limited, Gauteng, South Africa.
➤ Drill rig © The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 2002. SA ISSN
➤ Production targets 0038–223X/3.00 + 0.00. This paper was first presented at the
➤ Support requirements SAIMM Symposium: Mine Mechanization and Automation 25–28
➤ Explosives requirement September 2001.
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The Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy APRIL 2002 151
A long hole stoping system for mining narrow platinum reefs
➤ Sizes of development ends are crucial to make this
system profitable (drill raise @ 1.6h x 3.2w m; holing
raise @ 1.0 x 1.5 m)—this to prevent excessive waste
rock dilution
➤ System planned as support-free, man-free stope panel
environment based on throw-blast-cleaning and a total
of 5 people per production panel.

Support requirements

Apart from the installation of roof bolts in the access drives

Figure 2—Mining layout and the use of 4 m strike pillars, the in-stope area was
without support. The sequence of mining the blocks was
scheduled to ensure that mined out stope spans do not
Sandvik. All relevant design perimeters of the area to be become excessive. Falls of ground in the panel had to be
mined were taken into consideration. monitored closely in order to make layout changes should
the need arise. See Figure 3 of the specific drilling layout for
Production targets support installation.
An explosives expert from African Explosives Limited,
The following production targets were set:
was present during the initial charging and blasting
➤ To optimize face advance (Target of 2 m per blast) operations. His guidance was critical to demonstrate the
➤ 125 m drilled per single shift (5000 m per month on a method of charging a 15 m long blast hole. Detonating cord
double shift basis) was used in conjunction with a train of cartridge emulsion
➤ 2 500 centares per month or 60 centares per single explosives (Magnum 365 mm x 560 mm). (The explosives
shift were transported by means of a Normet utility vehicle to the
➤ Less than 0.5% deflection (75 mm) on 15 m length mining site from surface. At a later stage pumpable emulsion
hole explosives and electronic detonaters will be used to make
➤ System to generate 15% more revenue than conven- charging of the blast holes more effective.
tional mining due to lower dilution
➤ Shaft head costs expected to be 15% lower than Services requirement
conventional mining
➤ Zero grade dilution planned at 65 mm mining width. ➤ Drilling water with a pressure of at least 6 bar
Planned stoping grade of 6.0 g/t (140l/min.)

1m

Planned 0.65 m
● ● ●
1m
● ● ●
Main 1. Footwall damaged due to blast ● ● ●
access way 2. Pre-install 1.8 m rockbolts to pin
footwall to ensure it is not damaged by ● ● ●
blast
3. This will ensure a 0.65 m stoping width ● ● ●
All bolts to be installed on a 1 m
square pattern, measuring 1.8 m for
height up to 2.4 m. If excavation height
Bolts to overlie stoping more than 2.4 m install 2.4 m
activity rockbolts. Please note, rockbolts are
mechanical end anchored bolts.

Inspection raise Drill drive

Figure 3—Drilling layout

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152 APRIL 2002 The Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
A long hole stoping system for mining narrow platinum reefs
➤ Electrical supply: 525V and ±65kW (Pilot wire system) correct and safe blasting practices. This training was done by
➤ Sufficient lighting required African Explosives Limited.
➤ Mine required technical specifications on the drill rig
from Tamrock
Project site
➤ Tamrock had to provide a service technician for the rig
maintenance and one operator for the drill rig for a The site was situated in the old trackless area of
three month trial period. Boschfontein Shaft of Anglo Platinum, Rustenburg Section.
The project began in January 2000 and trial work was
Operation, ore removal and cleaning requirements completed in July 2000. See Figure 4 for more detailed
information on the project site.
Drilling accuracy was well within the desired 0.5% specified,
though drilling rate was slightly slower than anticipated. At
an early stage drilling straight holes was shown to be the Project achievement
easy part of achieving the necessary hole accuracy. The
Safety
difficulty was ensuring that the drill feed was pointed in the
correct direction. An angle indicator was mounted on the drill During the 6-month project trial period there were no injuries
feed that gave a vertical angle read out of 0.01% of slope; recorded.
setting the horizontal was more complex and involved setting
the drill feed relative to survey lines
Throw blasting of stoping ore into the strike loading drive
was achieved with broken ore removed by LHD.
The final cleaning of the stope was done by means of Production
water jetting from a remote position in the drilling drive after Plan Actual
completion of the blasting process. This practice is consistent
with our aim of creating a man-free stope. Face advance 2 m per blast 1.5 m per blast
Metres per shift 125 m 105 m
Square metres per shift 60 m2 40 m2
Training requirements Hole deflection 75 mm/15 m 45 mm/15 m
Shaft head cost reduction 15% 10.9%
Tamrock provided a three-week training period for all Stoping width 65 cm 45 cm (not optimum)
relevant engineering and mining personnel. The engineer on Holes blasted 7 7
Hole burden 0.5 m 0.45 m
the mine had to identify artisans that could be trained as drill
Cleaning water jet Yes Achieved
rig operators. Due to the complexity of the blasting process,
Throwing blasting Yes Achieved
detailed training had to be given to relevant personnel on the

Numerical modelling
results showed, this
area required long
Mined out
anchors

Additional packs were

installed along access
way
➡

1 2 3 4 5
Indicate access from
top reef drive

This raise will require widening

If pillar 2 is to be mined
No access was
allowed beyond
these points
Dip

Mined out

Figure 4—Project Site

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The Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy APRIL 2002 153
A long hole stoping system for mining narrow platinum reefs
Advantages of this mining method Actual achievement January 2001 to July 2001
It allows for a low safety and health risk as well as improved Total
working environment. Physical work is reduced and it is
easier to motivate the workforce. Another advantage is the Total possible area (m2) 4.317
Extraction @ 62% (m2) 2.545
improvement in grade due to better control of dilution, as
Grade (g/t) 7.00
only the channel width of the orebody is mined. This reduces Stoping width (cm) 99.8
ore transport costs and improves cost efficiency per ounce. Tons milled 22.182
Ounces 1.655
Revenue (R) 8.627.515
Disadvantages of this mining method Contract payment 326.725
Stores 469.341
Due to the lack of support in the mined-out areas, careful Purchasing long hole drill rig 280.000
production planning and rock engineering design is required. Development payment 853.893
Where horizontal fractures exist in the immediate Total cost (R) 1.929,959

hangingwall, such as the triplets above the UG2 chromitite at Shaft Head Cost:
Rustenburg Section, critical spans will need to be reduced— Direct cost per ton hoisted (R) 87.01
Direct cost per ounce (R) 1.166,14
this will impact on development replacement rates and
therefore also on cost per ounce.
A high-competency workforce with multi-skilled mining
and engineering personnel is required. It is probably this Economic viability of the project
issue that is the most challenging—ensuring the operators Total
have the relevant skills is a training issue, ensuring all levels
Total possible area (m2) 25800
of mine management have the necessary understanding of
Extraction @ 62% (m2) 16000
the new mining process is a paradigm shift. Grade (g/t) 7.63
Stoping width (cm) 65
Tons milled 32.240
Conclusions Ounces 4.023
Revenue (R) 20.115.000
The results achieved exceeded our expectations. We have
Contract payment 579.780
demonstrated that narrow, tabular orebodies can be Stores 513.000
mechanized and perhaps more important, that it is possible Purchasing long hole drill rig 2.400.000
to create a man-free/support-free stoping environment. It has Development payment 2.218.974
significant potential in terms of gaining both scale and Total cost (R) 5.711.754

learning curve efficience. We are currently establishing a Shaft Head Cost:

fully integrated mechanized section to take advantage of the Direct cost per ton hoisted (R) 80.45
Direct cost per ounce (R) 995.79
significant potential outlined in this document. ◆

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154 APRIL 2002 The Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy