Ground support systems optimisation – Phase 2

The Challenge

Miners typically employ very conservative designs for ground support to control the risk of rockfalls in underground mines, resulting in excessive ground support costs. The challenge is to optimise ground support design to reduce these costs while maintaining or even reducing the risk of rockfalls.

The Solution

Quantitative tools for modelling the relative probability of rockfall resulting from different ground support options will enable engineers to optimise ground support design. Lower cost ground support options can then be implemented without compromising safety.

Proposed Benefits to WA

Ground support can account for 30-40% of the development costs of underground mines. Through supporting ground support optimisation, the probabilistic tools delivered by this research will improve safety and cost-effectiveness in Western Australia’s mining industry.
This will also enhance WA’s reputation as a leader in the development of geomechanics technology.

This project is an extension to M0431.

Keywords: geomechanics, ground support, probabilistic design, rockfall risk, underground mining