SUBLEVEL CAVING

General Details of the Mine

1. High strata: 30-100 m

2. Mineral: Calcite
3. Inclination of strata: 40º maximum
Tools for Suitable Mining Method Selection – Hartman
(1987)
Tools for Suitable Mining Method Selection – Nicholas
Perico Euskadi Mine:
General Shape: Tabular
Ore Thickness: 30-100 m
Ore Plunge: 40 degree
Grade Distribution: Uniform
Depth: 100 m
RCD: Calcite (69-180Mpa)
Rating: Medium (10-11)
Mining Method Selection:
 Sublevel Caving
1. Characteristics of the Method.
2. Method Design.
3. Delepment and Preparation of the Method.
4. Mineral Exploitation.
5. Costs of the Method.
6. The Variants of the Method.
 1. Characteristics of the Method
The SLC method is applied preferably in bodies of tabular, vertical or
Sub-vertical, large, both in thickness and in its vertical extension.
It is also applicable in massive deposits.
The mineralized rock must present conditions of competition only
enough so that the works placed in it remain stable with a minimum of
reinforcement elements.
The sterile material must be little competent, so that it collapses easily
occupying the vacuum left by the extraction of the mineralized rock.
 1. Characteristics of the Method
It is desirable that the mineralized rock and the superimposed sterile
material are easily distinguishable and separable.
In general, the concept of a sinking method implies that the
superimposed sterile material collapses and fills the void left by the
extraction of the mineralized body. This process must propagate to the
surface, creating a cavity or crater.
 2. Method Design
It consists in dividing the mineralized body into vertically spiced sub-levels
between 10 and 20 m. In each sublevel a network of parallel galleries that
cross
transversely the body, at distances of the order of 10 to 15 m.
The galleries of a certain sub-level are located in between and equidistant
from the galleries of the immediately neighboring sub-levels. In this way, the
entire section
mineralized is covered by a mesh of galleries arranged in a rhomboidal
configuration.
The operations of starting, loading and transporting the ore are carried out
from these sub-levels in a descending sequence.
 3. Delepment and Preparation of the Method
A ramp that communicates and allows access to all sub-levels.
Header galleries in each of the sub-levels, located in the recumbent
rock (footwall), usually oriented according to the course and following
the contour of the mineralized body.
Galleries of start and extraction of the mineral in all the sub-levels,
according to the previously indicated disposition. These galleries, of
great section, constitute most of the required developments and their
excavation can reach up to 20% of the productive capacity of the mine.
Transmission mines that connect to all the sublevels and that allow the
evacuation of the mineral started towards a main transport level.
 3. Delepment and Preparation of the Method
The start operation starts in the upper sublevel, in recess from the
farthest or hanging limit (hanging wall) of the mineralized body towards
the lying limit (foot wall).
From each gallery of the sublevel, shots are drilled upwards, according
to a fan-shaped diagram that covers the entire section of rhomboidal
rock located immediately above.
The length of the shots is variable and can reach up to 40m. The
perforation diameter is in the range of 50 to 90 mm.
The drilling is done in advance as a continuous and independent
operation of the blasting. Each blast involves between two and five fans
per gallery.
 3. Delepment and Preparation of the Method
Regarding to Ventilation:
The intensive use of diesel LHD loaders requires good ventilation in the
production galleries. Considering that these tasks are blind, it is necessary to
resort to auxiliary ventilation systems.

Regard to fortification:
This method involves the development of a large number of large-scale
works, specifically the production galleries from 4 to 5 m wide, which in turn
have a relatively short life.
If it is a competent rock, no additional fortification elements are required.
The main problem occurs in the maintenance of the extraction front or visor.
The presence of poor quality rock requires semi-permanent fortification
elements such as steel mesh
 4. Mineral Exploitation
The mineralized rock must present conditions of competition only
enough so that the works placed in it remain stable with a minimum of
reinforcement elements.
The surrounding rock, or more specifically the superimposed one, must
be little competent, so that it collapses with ease occupying the void
left by the extraction of the mineralized rock.
 5. Costs of the Method
Low cost because high productive capacity method; its general layout
(layout) is quite simple, regular and schematic and does not require
excavations and installations too complex.
Economic aspect.
Mechanization because allow intensive use of high-mechanized
equipment productivity thus being able to reach the. process a high
level of efficiency and high standards technicians.
 6. The Variants of the Method
Block Caving