Study of rock massif strains when creating an internal dump in the zone of transition from open pit to underground mining

¹ Kryvyi Rih National University, Department of Underground Development of Mineral Deposits, 11 Vitaliia Matusevycha St., 50027 Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine
² Universidad Nacional de San Agustin de Arequipa, Scientific Research Institute of the Center of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, 107 San Agustin St., 04000 Arequipa, Peru
³ Dnipro University of Technology, Institute of Nature Management, 19 Yavornytskoho Ave., 49005 Dnipro, Ukraine

^* Corresponding author: kalinichenko@knu.edu.ua

Abstract

The work explores technologies for transitioning from open pit to underground mining of minerals, focusing on stress-strain analysis of the rock mass during this process. It enhances methods for studying these stress-strain states, particularly in the context of combined technologies for iron ore extraction. The study proposes environmentally safe techniques for extracting magnetite quartzite, involving the use of internal dumps in open pits to dispose of mining waste. It develops and suggests efficient design schemes for managing stress-strain states during the transition and proposes using protective barrier pillars formed from artificial consolidating backfill for subsequent underground mining. Strains in these barrier pillars and the rock mass are calculated for various scenarios of waste filling. The study, exemplified by the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin, demonstrates the environmental benefits of using abandoned open pits for waste disposal and underscores the economic advantage of these technologies. This innovative approach plays a crucial role in preserving the valuable Ukrainian agricultural chernozem. By implementing this method, there is a significant reduction in the amount of land required for agricultural use and minimizing environmental impact.