New developments in the mining of underground pillars at Thompson Mine
CIM Bulletin, Vol. 81, No. 918, 1988
GEORGE STEWART and ROD MACLEAN
This paper covers the planning, development, and mining of an underground pillar complex using a bulk mining method. To achieve the long-term goal of continually improving our operating processes, all cut-and-fill and undercut-and-fill workplaces at Thompson Mine have been evaluated for their conversion potential to the bulk method referred to as Vertical Block Mining (V.B.M.).
Since December 1979, conversion has occurred to the extent where 80% of the ore hoisted is mined using Vertical Block Mining (V.B.M.). Productivity and profitability have been substantially improved by converting to this bulk method, especially in pillar areas.
Mots Clés:
Underground mining, Mine development, Pillars, Mining methods, Blasting methods, Vertical block mining.
