An Investigation of the Effects of Particle Size, Porosity, and Cave Size on the Airflow Resistance of a Block/Panel Cave

Abstract

Block/panel caving is a preferred underground mining method for extracting deep seated, low-grade mineral deposits due to its high production rates and low mining costs. In a typical block/panel cave mine, cave zone or cave column is an important part of mine ventilation system, although traditional mine ventilation practices fail to estimate its airflow resistance due to the dynamic nature of caving process. In this study, a combination of flow through porous media and VENTSIM modeling approaches were used first to estimate the airflow resistance of a conduit/column filled with hollow plastic balls and then to predict the airflow resistance of a cave zone/cave column. This study also investigates the effects of broken rock size (particle size), porosity, and cave height and volume on the airflow resistance of a cave zone/cave column in a typical block/panel cave mine using a lab scale physical model.