Analysis of the rock mass behaviour as associated with Ventersdorp contact reef stopes, South Africa
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1998
Authors
Guler, Gokhan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
In the Far West Rand Goldfields a series of lava flows covers the important,
auriferous deposit known as the Ventersdorp Contact Reef (VCR), which
separates the lavas from various sedimentary rock types. Until recently, little
research had been done aiming at the identification and analysis of rock
engineering problems encountered while mining this reef. This is especially
surprising when considering that the VCR is one of the major South African gold
producers, contributing some 15 % to the overall gold production.
This dissertation consists of three parts: the first concerns the definition and
establishment of geotechnical areas in all mines where the VCR is currently
being mined. Twelve mines are considered covering a distance exceeding
60 km, and six major geotechnical areas are defined by regions with different
combinations of hangingwall lavas and footwall rock types. The second part
considers observations and measurements of the rock mass behaviour around
geotechnically distinct VCR stopes. This approach is used as it is expected that
geotechnical variation, influence rock mass behaviour and consequently mining
strategy and design of support systems. The last part describes a VCR specific:
stope support design methodology also considering closure rate variations as a
function of face advance rates. (Abbreviation abstract)
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Engineering, University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
of Master of Science in Engireering.
Keywords
Rock mechanics -- South Africa., Ground control (Mining) -- South Africa., Stoping (Mining)