• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.430-439
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• 2014

This study developed a simulation program for truck-loader haulage systems in an underground mine. A limestone underground mine in Korea was selected as a study area and investigated to design the simulation algorithm for truck-loader haulage systems. GPSS/H simulation language was utilized to develop the simulation program. Simulations were conducted to analyze the optimal number of haulage trucks dispatched in the 540 ML loading point by using the developed program. The simulation results showed that 8 trucks can maximize the daily production (2,076 ton). The real production (1,850 ton/day) of limestone ores was very similar to the simulated one (1,850.35 ton/day) when considers 7 trucks dispatched in the 540 ML loading point. In addition, average waiting time at loader were similar (waiting time by time study : 1.39 min, simulated waiting time : 1.35 min).

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.373-382
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• 2015

This study presents a method to calculate carbon dioxide emissions of diesel vehicles operated in an underground mine using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). An underground limestone mine in Korea was selected as the study area. A GIS database was constructed to represent the haulage roads as a 3D vector network. The speed of dump trucks at each haulage road was investigated to determine the carbon dioxide emission factor. The amount of carbon dioxide emissions related to the truck's haulage work could be calculated by considering the carbon dioxide emission factor at each haulage road and the haulage distance determined by GIS-based optimal route analysis. Because diesel vehicles are widely utilized in the mining industry, the method proposed in this study can be used and further improved to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in mining sites.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.463-475
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• 2022

In the mine exploitation stage; one of the critical issues is the stability assessment of post-pillars. The instability of post-pillars leads to serious safety hazards in mining operations. The focus of this study is to assess the stability of post-pillars in the 130# stope in the central ore body at Trepça hard rock mine by employing both conventional (i.e., critical span curve) and numerical methods (i.e., FLAC3D). Moreover, a new numerical based index (i.e., Pillar Yield Ratio-PYR) was proposed. The aim of PYR index is to determine a border line between stable, potentially unstable, and failure state of post-pillars at a specific mine site. The critical value of pillar width to height ratio is 2.5 for deep production stopes (e.g., > 800 m). Results showed that pillar size, mining height and mining depth significantly have affected the post-pillar stability. The reliability of numerical based index (i.e., PYR) is verified based on empirical underground pillar stability graph developed by Lunder, 1994. The proposed pillar yield ratio index and pillar stability graph can be used as a design tool in new mining areas at Trepça hard rock mine and for other situations with similar geotechnical conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.422-425
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• 2003

This study was carried out to apprehend the variation of quality of mine drainage in the abandoned Samtan coal mine. After closure of coal mine, although still pumping, water level in underground was raised to loom and the concentration of some elements such as Fe and Mn was elevated. At present, the worst pollution source in this area is too the acidic leachate drained from uncovered mine waste impoundment. The flow rate of mine drainage from the adit is ave. about 20,000t/d. If water were flooded and deteriorated due to stopping pumping, the impact of the mine drainage on the stream around the abandoned mine would be more severe. Therefore, It is considered that the prediction of water quality of mine drainage from the adit after stopping pumping will be very important with a view to establishing countermeasures.

• 한국지구물리탐사학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.89-100
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• 2009

3-dimensional modeling methods have been used in the every step of resource development; Exploration, reserve estimation, mine feasibility study, mine design and mine production. This report shows seven cases for which 3-dimensional modeling is used in resource development. Six projects deal with resource esimation, mine feasibility study and production. And another deals with mine rehabilitation. These cases show that 3-dimensional modeling method is beneficial to understand the real state of ore deposit and complex underground structures. Moreover, 3-dimensional modeling is the most efficient method for mine planning and management in the every step of resource development.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.195-208
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• 2013

We employed electrical resistivity and optical borehole imaging methods to identify underground cavities and determine ground subsidence rate at the study area affected by land subsidence due to abandoned underground mines. At the study site 1, the anomalous zones of low resistivity ranging between 100 ohm-meter and 150 ohm-meter were observed and confirmed as an abandoned underground mine by subsequent borehole drilling and optical borehole imaging. Although the electrical resistivity survey was unavailable due to the paved surface of the study site 2, we were able to locate another abandoned underground mine with the collapsed mine shaft based on the distribution of the ore veins and confirmed it with borehole drilling. In addition, we measured vertical displacements of underground features indicating underground subsidence by conducting optical borehole imaging 6 times over a period of 43 days at the study site 2. The displacement magnitude at the deep segment caused by subsidence appeared to be 3 times larger than those at the shallow segment. Similarly, the displacement duration at the deep segment was 4 times longer than those at the shallow segment. Therefore, the combination of electrical resistivity and optical borehole imaging methods can be effectively applicable to detect and monitor ground subsidence caused by underground cavities.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.15 no.6 s.59
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• pp.425-431
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• 2005

A series of geotechnical surveys and in-situ tests were carried out to evaluate the stability of underground mine cave in an abandoned coal mine. After the closure of the mine, the underground mine drifts have been utilized for a tourist route since 1999. The dimension of the main cave is 5m width, 3m height and 230m length. The surrounding rock mass of the cave is consist of black shale, coal and limestone. Also, the main cave is intersected by two fault zone. Detailed field investigations including Rock Mass Rating(RMR), Geological Strength Index(GSI) and Q classification were performed to evaluate the stability of the main cave and to examine the necessity of reinforcement. Based on the results of rock mass classification and numerical analysis, suitable support design was recommended for the main cave. RMR and Q values of the rock masses were classified in the range of fair to good. According to the support categories proposed by Grimstad & Barton(1993), these classes fall in the reinforcement category of the Type 3 to Type 1. A Type 3 reinforcement category signifies systematic bolting and no support is necessary for the Type 1 case. From the result of numerical analysis, it was inferred that additional support on the several unstable blocks is required to ensure stability of the cave.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-99
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• 2016

We developed a Windows-based program for discrete event simulation of truck-loader haulage systems in an underground mine. The Daesung MDI limestone mine located in Samcheok City, Gangwon Province, Korea was selected as the study area to design the program. The developed program is composed of the graphic user interface (GUI) and simulation engine implemented by Visual Basic.NET 2012 and the GPSS/H simulation language, respectively. When a user sets up input parameters for the discrete event simulation through GUI, the program activates the simulation engine, and then simulation results are displayed on GUI. This paper describes the details of the program development as well as its applications to the study area to determine the optimal number of trucks dispatched at each loading point under different operating conditions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2017

Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) potentially causes adverse health effects (e.g. respiratory symptoms, lung cancer). Due to a lack of data on Elemental Carbon (EC) exposure levels in underground copper ore mining (unlike other underground mining industries such as non-metallic and coal mining), this case study aims to provide individual miners' EC exposure levels, and information on their work practices including use of personal protective equipment. EC measurement was carried out during different work activities (i.e. drilling, driving a loader, plant fitting, plant operation, driving a Specialized Mining Vehicle (SMV)) as per NIOSH Method 5040. The copper miners were working 10 h/day and 5 days/week. This study found that the most significant exposures to EC were reported from driving a loader (range $0.02-0.42mg/m^3$). Even though there were control systems (i.e. water tanks and DPM filters) on the diesel vehicles, around 49.5% of the results were over the adjusted recommendable exposure limit ($0.078mg/m^3$). This was probably due to: (1) driver's frequently getting in and out of the diesel vehicles and opening the windows of the diesel vehicles, and (2) inappropriate maintenance of the diesel vehicles and the DPM control systems. The use of the P2 type respirator provided was less than 19.2%. However, there was no significant difference between the day shift results and the night shift results. In order to prevent or minimize exposure to EC in the copper ore mine, it is recommended that the miners are educated in the need to wear the appropriate respirator provided during their work shifts, and to maintain the diesel engine and emission control systems on a regular basis. Consideration should be given to a specific examination of the diesel vehicles' air-conditioning filters and the air ventilation system to control excessive airborne contaminants in the underground copper mine.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2001

The cavities created by underground mining, if remained unfilled, can cause ground settlement and surface subsidence as a result of relaxation and breakdown of the carven roof. Construction of structures above the underground mine cavity will have serious problems concerning both structural stability and safely even if the cavity is back-filled. This study was conducted to confirm the location and condition of the cavern as well as the state of the back-fill in A mine area using core logging and borehole camera. The bearing capacity and other mechanical properties of the ground were also measured by the standard penetration test(SPT). Obtained data were used to assess the stability of the ground and the structures to be built by numerical analysis using FLAC. The site investigation results showed that the mine cavities were filled with materials such as boulder and silty sand(SM by unified classification). Result of the numerical analyses indicated that constructing building structures on the over-lying ground above the filled cavities is secure against the potential problems such as surface subsidence and ground settlement.