Stope Structural Parameters Design towards Green and Deep Mining: A Review

Abstract

A reliable design of stopes is critical to ensure both safety and efficiency in mining operations. The evolving mining methods and technologies as well as increasing mining depth dictate the need to continually improve stope designs. This paper presents a comprehensive review in order to compare and consolidate various stope design methods. This review covers various aspects of stope design, including design principles, factors to consider, and the diverse range of design methods available. The results led to the classification of various methods encompassing engineering analogies, fundamentals, numerical simulations, and industrial tests. Of particular significance, the review furnishes detailed insights into the research conducted on each method, as well as each method’s practical performance in engineering applications. Furthermore, the review highlights the inherent limitations in current design methods and suggests potential avenues for future research. Finally, by comprehensively considering the functional roles and advantages of each design method, it overcomes the limitations of relying solely on a single method for stope structural parameter design, and a general process is proposed.