PROPOSAL

GEOTECHNICAL CONSULTING WORK

FOR BLOCK CAVING OPERATION
IN PT FREEPORT INDONESIA

1. BACKGROUND

One of the critical factors controlling efficient ore extraction in a block caving mine

is the stability of the extraction level excavations and, to a lesser extent, those of

the undercut. The instabilities of the undercut and extraction levels are primarily

attributed to high abutment stresses induced in the vicinity of an advancing

undercut front. Several factors have the potential to influence the level of induced

stresses experienced in the extraction level excavations. They include the timing of

the undercut relative to the extraction level development, undercut face shape,

separation distance between the undercut and production levels, cave hydraulic

radius, undercut direction and in situ stress regime.

The three-dimensional geometries of excavations between the undercut and

extraction levels can be very complex. If stability problems occur at the extraction

level excavations, they are not easily remedied and normally have a severe impact

on production. Therefore, the production level excavations must be designed

ensuring they remain stable and conducive to production operations throughout

their design lives, which can be several years or even decades for some cases.

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINERAL
TECHNOLOGY
INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BANDUNG
1
2. OBJECTIVE

The objective of the Geotechnical Consulting Work for Block Caving Operation in

PT Freeport Indonesia is to assist PT Freeport Indonesia in maintaining the

stability of the extraction level excavations throughout the underground mining

operations. The work will also be aimed at transfer of technical and theoretical

knowledge to the Freeport engineers who are concerned with this issue. In

addition, the work will also be a good opportunity to the consultant to gain real

field experiences.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The Geotechnical Consulting Work for Block Caving Operation in PT Freeport

Indonesia is a regular consultation conducted during monthly site visits to be

carried out by Dr Ridho Wattimena, a block caving geotechnical expert from the

Department of Mining Engineering-ITB. Detailed discussions on the geotechnical

issues will be held in the site visits.

In addition, depending on the outcomes of the discussions, some detailed

calculations such as numerical modeling might be required. The calculations

might be carried out in the PT Freeport of or in the Department of Mining

Engineering-ITB. For the later case, Dr Ridho Wattimena will be assisted a team

from the Laboratory of Geomechanics, Department of Mining Engineering-ITB

consisting experts in rock mechanics and numerical modeling.

The followings and, others if required, will be covered by the work:

a. Quantification of abutment stresses induced in the extraction

and, if needed, the undercut levels excavations.

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINERAL
TECHNOLOGY
INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BANDUNG
2
b. Prediction of level of damage and consequently the support to be

installed using knowledge of the level of stress that is likely to occur and an

estimate of the rock mass strength.

c. Stability analysis of the extraction level extraction and assessment

of the installed supports performances.

d. Technical assistance and recommendations to PT Freeport

Indonesia ensuring that no instability will be experienced by the extraction

level excavations throughout their design lives.

4. CONSULTATION UNIT COSTS

The following unit costs will be applied in the Geotechnical Consulting Work for

Block Caving Operation in PT Freeport Indonesia:

a. On-site allowance Rp 2,000,000.00/man-day

b. Off-site allowance (Bandung) Rp 1,500,000.00/man-day

c. Software run-time Rp 10,000,000.00/month

5. ABOUT THE CONSULTANT

Dr Ridho K Wattimena
Ridho graduated from Department of Mining Engineering-ITB in 1991 and
obtained his master degree in Geomechanics from the same institution in 1996. He
has twelve years experience in rock mass characterization and stability analyses of
underground structures in both civil and mining projects.
Ridho obtained his PhD degree in Rock Mechanics from the University of
Queensland, Australia in 2003. During his PhD research, he intensively involved in
the International Caving Study, a wide-ranging research and technology transfer
project, funded by a number of major mining companies. He developed a hybrid
numerical-empirical model that enables, for the first time, quantitative design

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINERAL
TECHNOLOGY
INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BANDUNG
3
guidelines to be developed for the management of induced stresses in undercut
and extraction level drifts in caving mines. The novel model was successfully
validated through a number of case histories from Teniente-4 South, Palabora,
Northparkes, Andina, and Esmeralda mines.
Ridho is currently a lecturer in the Department of Mining Engineering-ITB for the
subjects of rock mechanics, drilling and excavation techniques, and underground
stability analysis.

6. ABOUT THE LABORATORY OF GEOMECHANICS,

DEPT. MINING ENG. ITB

The Laboratory of Geomechanics, Department of Mining Engineering-ITB, has

experiences in rock mechanics tests both in the laboratory and in the field. The
laboratory has also performed a number of stability analyses in mining and civil
engineering projects for both surface and underground structures.
For the underground works, the laboratory has conducted consulting works for
the following companies: PT Aneka Tambang Tbk., PT Tambang Batubara Bukit
Asam, PT Fajar Bumi Sakti, PT Arutmin Indonesia, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara,
and PT Wahana Baratama Mining and designed a number of new underground
mines for some mining companies which are still in the feasibility study stage.
The laboratory staff are: Prof Made Astawa Rai, Prof Irwandy Arif, Dr Suseno
Kramadibrata, Dr Budi Sulistianto, Dr Ridho K. Wattimena and a number of junior
consultants.

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINERAL
TECHNOLOGY
INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BANDUNG
4