Underground Design Methods 2015 Y Potvin (ed.

)
2015 Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, ISBN 978-0-9924810-3-2
https://papers.acg.uwa.edu.au/p/1511_05_Moulding/

Design and management processes involved with extracting

regional pillar stopes in a seismic setting at Darlot Gold Mine

CMouldingGoldFieldsAustraliaPtyLtd,Australia
PAndrewsGoldFieldsAustraliaPtyLtd,Australia

Abstract
This paper outlines the protocols introduced for the management of potential seismic risk, including
monitoring,numericalmodelling,extractionsequencingandthenecessarysupportupgradestomitigatethe
risksatDarlotGoldMine.
TheWaltersLodeislocated400mbelowsurfaceandusesalongholeminingmethodretreatingbacktoa
regional pillar. The lode is hosted within a strong dolerite host rock (uniaxial compressive strength
(UCS)=220MPa+),withaUCSthatoftenexceeds200MPa,withthemainmineralisedlodefollowingalong
a structure called the first slip fault. This structure pinches and swells at varying depths and is usually
identified by quartz intrusions and a 0.51.0m sheared zoned along the plane. This fault dips at
approximately 50 to the west. In addition to the first slip fault, there are multiple intersecting faults
throughoutthearea.
Originally the ground support for the development drives was not designed for seismic conditions and
predominantlyutilisedresinboltsinstalledoverfibrecrete.Astheminingfrontbegantoretreattowardsthe
pillar, mining induced stresses began acting upon the rock mass and the structures in the area. The rock
mass response to these changes included an increase in seismic activity and deformation. This increased
activityledtoareviewoftheseismicmanagementriskproceduresatDarlot.
Initialchangesincludedupgradingthegroundsupportregimetoayieldingsystemcapableofretainingthe
rock mass in response to predicted levels of seismicity. Expected levels of seismicity were obtained by
undertakingareviewofhistoricalseismicdatainthearea.
Nonlinearelasticmodellingwasalsoundertakentodeterminethepotentialseismicresponseandpredicted
damage to the rock mass based on the proposed extraction sequence. Based on these results, a
geotechnicallyoptimisedstopingsequencewasproposed.
Internalnumericalmodellinghasbeenconductedtoaccountfornewlyfoundstopeshapesrelativetothe
originalextractionsequence.Theresultsthatshowpotentialdepthsoffailureareusedtostrategicallyplan
andaccountforadditionaloverbreakorbrowdamageintheminingplan.
Ongoingseismicmonitoringandanalysisisusedtodetermineseismicexclusionzonesandreentrytimes.
Alloftheabovechangesareusedtocontinuallycalibratetheexistingmodels,andongoingdatacollection
hasresultedinanoptimalextractionsequence,thereforeallowingasafeandproductiveextractionofthe
WaltersLode.

1 Introduction
Theselected extractionmethodandminingsequencehaveasignificantinfluenceon the performanceof
deepundergroundstopes.Theperformanceisprimarilyassociatedwithstopegeometry,fieldandinduced
stresses, geological structures, intact rock strength and rock mass characteristics. Darlot Gold Mine has
miningareasthatcapturealloftheseperformancefactors,predominantlywithintheWaltersLodewhich
hashighinducedstressesandcomplexstructuralconditionswithinaremnantminingzone.Thesefactors
have historically led to increased stope over break and an increased seismic response, that both affect

Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia 135

Design and management processes involved with extracting regional pillar stopes C Moulding and P Andrews
in a seismic setting at Darlot Gold Mine

production(i.e.timedelay,increasedcost,safetyconcerns).Asetofmanagementstrategiesandpractices
wereimplementedtomanagethesefactors,includingbothelasticandnonlinearnumericalmodellingto
help geotechnical engineers optimise the stope geometry and extraction sequence. Additional
administrativecontrolshavealsobeenimplemented,suchasexclusionzonesandreentrytimestoensure
seismic risk to personnel is mitigated. This paper presents an overview of the mine design, geological
conditions,stressinfluencesandmanagementprocessestosafelyextracttheorebody.

2 Darlot Gold Mine

2.1 Location
DarlotGoldMineislocated58kmeastofLeinster,WesternAustralia.Since1October2013,theminehas
beenownedbyDarlotMiningCompanyPtyLtd,anindirectsubsidiaryofGoldFieldsLimited.Darlotbegan
asanopenpitoperationsin1989,andundergroundoperationscommencedin1995undertheHomeStake
Mining Company when the Darlot orebody was discovered. Underground mining is now located in the
Centenaryorebody.
ThemineislocatedatthesouthernendoftheNNWtrendingYandalGreenstoneBeltoftheYilgarnCraton.
Mining occurs along an orebody with a 1.5km strike length, and active mining is conducted between
350and740mbelowthegroundsurface.TheDarlotmineutilisesvariousextractionsequencesthroughout
theminewhichincludelongholeretreat,roomandpillar,halfechelonretreat,primaryandsecondarybulk
stoping.Themajorityoftheseextractionsequencesarecomplimentedwithcementedpastefill.Thepaste
plantwascommissionedin2006,andstopefillingallowsforcompleteextractionoftheorebodyinsteadof
leavingorepillarsbehind.

2.2 Geology
Figure1showsthemultipleorezonescurrentlyextractedatDarlot.Goldmineralisationispredominately
hostedinmagneticdolerite(85%)andmagneticquartzdolerite(8%).Mineralisationcanalsobefoundin
thenonmagneticdoleriteandfelsicvolcanosedimentaryrocktypes,typicallyinthefollowingconditions:
Narrow(0.2to30cmwide)shallowwesterlydipping(0to20)stackedquartzveins.
Massive(50to400cmwide)bandedquartzveinsthatdipat60tothenorthwest.
The zone known as the Walters Lode is defined by a banded quartz vein. The vein varies from 50cm to
severalmetresintruethickness,witha600mstrikelengthandextends600mdowndip.Minorshallower
dippingveiningalsooccursalongthefootwall(FW)andhangingwall(HW).Theorezoneishostedinvery
strong Dolerite (UCS = 220MPa+) and is dominated by a regional fault structure known as the first slip
fault.Thisfaultvariesinthicknesswithdepthandischaracterisedbyquartzintrusions,narrowalteration
halosanda0.51.0mshearedcontactzonealongtheplane.ThisleadstoapoorerrockmasswithintheHW
ofstopes.

136 Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia

 Designing for seismicity

Figure 1 Darlot Gold Mine ore zones

2.3 Walters extraction sequence

TheWalters Lodewasinitiallydesignedforextractionusingalongholeretreatmethod towardsacentral
access,whichcreatedaclosurepillarandisillustratedinFigure2.Thisinitialextractionsequenceutilised
wasterockandcementedaggregatefilltomineabottomupsequence.Ribandsillpillarswerealsousedif
ground conditions warranted them. Once paste backfill was introduced in 2006, the mining sequence
changed to a top down mining method. This did not change the central pillar scenario, but enabled
improved control of the unsupported stope spans, reduced the stoping cycle time, and reduced the
damagingeffectsontherockmasswhichcouldleadtofracturingandincreasedsupportrequirements.

Figure 2 The remaining pillar as of September 2014

Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia 137

Design and management processes involved with extracting regional pillar stopes C Moulding and P Andrews
in a seismic setting at Darlot Gold Mine

The paste fill strengths were designed for 57m wide undercutting and mining beside exposures, using
equationsadaptedfromMitchellandRoettger(1989).
Astheextractionsequenceprogressed,thestressesconcentratedinthecentralpillarandotheradjacent
sill/rib pillars between stopes. Options for an alternative extraction sequences were reviewed, but were
foundtobeunsatisfactoryduetothemaindeclinelocationandothernearbyminingfrontsencroachingon
theareaandbecauseitwasuneconomicaltodevelopFWdrivestoprovidedualaccesstotheorebody.

2.3.1 Rock mass classification

AsshowninTable1,thetypicalrockmassqualityofthehostDoleriteatDarlotGoldMinehasaQvalueof
three based on the NGI Qsystem (Barton et al. 1974). The NGI system classifies a Qvalue of three as a
poorrockmass.

Table 1 Q-System for Dolerite host rock at Darlot Gold Mine

Rocktype RQD Jointset Jn Joint Jr Ja Jw SRF Q

(%) roughness
Dolerite 90 Twosetsplus 6 Smooth 2 4 1 2.5 3
random undulating

2.3.2 Walters stope designs

ThestopesintheWaltersLodegenerallydipat50withHWparalleltothefirstslipfault.Thisisbecause
the primary failure mechanism within the stopes is gravity wedge/slab failures associated with the HW
breakingtothefaultcontact.DarlotGoldMinealsohasadominanthorizontaljointsetwhichinteractswith
the moderately dipping structures in the HW and increases the likelihood of failures or overbreak. An
examplestopedesign,alongwithpotentialfailurezoneswithintheWaltersLode,areshowninFigure3.
Moderatelydippingstopeshavebeenpredominantlydesignedwithahydraulicradius(HR)of5.0mtoplot
within the stable zone of the modified stability chart. This HR has proved successful when extracting
alongsidethefirstslipfault2020mandallowsa2020mHWexposure.
AllflatstopingareasareconsideredunstableatspansgreaterthanaHRof4.5m.Theyhaveahigherrisk,
duetotheincreasedpotentialoflargerwedgefailures,whichcanpropagateuptothefirstslipfault.This
HRconstraintwasputinplaceafterawedgefailurewithintheWaltersLodestopeoccurredinearly2014.
ThestopewasdesignedwithaHRof5.5mwiththefirstslipfaultcrossingthecentralbacksata55angle
of intersection. The ore was extracted slowly under the full HW exposure, instead of prioritising quick
extraction.Thisledtoalargewedgefailureinthecentralbackswhichdilutedtheremainingoresourceand
resultedinaproductionloss.Figure4showsthispredictedextentoffailureinmoredetail.
Alongstanduptimeplayedacriticalroleintheperformanceofthestope,allflatbackstopesarenow
designedwithaHRvaluenolargerthan4.5m.Thestopemustbeboggedcleanbetweeneachfiringand
never left idle, or a production risk assessment must be completed to determine the production and
financialimpactsfrompotentialwedgefailures.

138 Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia

 Designing for seismicity

Figure 3 BN1000 HWN G Panel design cross-section

Figure 4 BN1000 HWN D failure scenario

3 Seismicity
DarlotGoldMineinstalledfourtriaxialandtwelveuniaxialsensorswhenitreplacedanexistingsystemwith
an Institute of Mine Seismology (IMS) seismic system in December 2009. This installation has provided a
more consistent performance compared with the previous system which deteriorated to the point of
failureinearly2009.Thenewsystemallowedforbetteranalysisofallseismicparametersthroughoutthe
mine.

3.1 Analysis
Aspreviouslymentioned,theWaltersLodehasonemajorandmultiplesmallerfaultsinteractingwiththe
ore zone, asillustrated in Figure5. These smaller faults vary in seismic response as stopeblasting occurs
nearby.BackanalysisandreviewoftheseismicityaroundtheWaltersLodeindicatedthatthefirstslipfault
istheprimarystructureassociatedwithseismicity.
Ongoing seismic analysis indicates extensive clustering on the first slip fault contact and in the HW rock
mass,andithasalsobeencalibratedasthesourceofthedamagingseismicevents.Asummaryofhistorical
damagingseismiceventswithinthestresswindowisdisplayedinTable2.
ThelargesteventrecordedonthesystemwasanIMSlocalmagnitude(ML)of+1.3on20February2012,
anditoccurredfortyminutesafterfiringarise,whichintersectedtheFirstSlipfault.Thisisillustratedin
Figure6.

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Design and management processes involved with extracting regional pillar stopes C Moulding and P Andrews
in a seismic setting at Darlot Gold Mine

Figure 5 Fault structures and event distribution within the Walters Lode

Figure 6 Seismic events >0.0 ML associated with first slip fault

Table 2 Summary of damaging seismic events within the stress window

Date Magnitude(ML) Comment

18February2009 0.81.5 PillardamageatW920
18May2009 1.5estimated Multiple events recorded, extensive damage
inW1000,W1020andW1035
29July2010 1.2estimated DamagetoW1000HWNstockpile
10July2011 1.25 DamageinW1020ODSfromfirstslipfault
20February2012 1.3 Six events (40 minutes postfiring on fault)
resultingindamagetoW1000

Rise firings in the Walters Lode have been found to induce an elevated seismic response, and larger
magnitudeevents,thanstandardstopefiringsintovoidsorexistingrises.Thisincreasedlevelofseismicity
from rise firings is thought to be due to the larger energy and vibration being transferred into the

140 Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia

 Designing for seismicity

surrounding rock mass in all directions, whereas other stope firings preferentially distribute the blast
energytowardsthevoidinsteadofthesurroundingrockmass.
Thenumberofseismiceventshasdecreasedsince2009,whichmaybeduetothelowerextractionrates
from the Walters Lode since then. Even though the overall number of events has reduced, there is a
generaltrendshowingthenumberoflargermagnitudeeventsincreasedbetween2010andmid2013at
whichpointeventmagnitudesbegantoplateau.Thisappearstocorrelatewiththeextractionofthecentral
accesspillarandtheincreasedstressesactingalongthefirstslipfault.

3.2 Support upgrades

The original ground support for the development drives were designed for static conditions and
predominantly utilised 2.4m resin bolts installed over 50mm fibrecrete. This initially provided the
necessary support to access the ore zone; however, the support design did not consider the potential
dynamic requirements when extraction was undertaken. As retreat mining progressed, the levels of
seismicityandinducedstressesactingonthesupportbegantoincrease.Thesupportandrockmassbegan
toshowsignsofstressrelateddamageandfailure.
Areviewofthejointdata,andobservationsfromdamagingevents,indicatedthattherewasapotentialfor
wedge failures in the back of the oredrive relative to the first slip fault. The observed depth of failure,
relatedtothesestructures,couldreach2.5mhigh.
Determining the dynamic ground support requirements for the Walters Lode required the maximum
potential event size to be assessed. This was calculated via the GutenbergRichter relationship
(frequencymagnitude) distribution chart (Gutenberg & Richter 1944). The data set starts in
November2009andshowsanestimateddesignmagnitude(xaxisintercept)MLof+1.55.Thisisgraphically
showninFigure7.Basedonthisanalysis,itwasdeterminedtheinitialsupportwasnotadequateforthe
largestpotentialseismicevents.

Figure 7 Frequencymagnitude graph

Withthemaximumseismiceventandwedgegeometrydeterminedfromanalyses,theupgradestoground
supportcouldbeimplemented.Basedontheanalyses,thesupportrequiredagreaterembedmentlength

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Design and management processes involved with extracting regional pillar stopes C Moulding and P Andrews
in a seismic setting at Darlot Gold Mine

andalsoahigherdynamiccapability.Thisledtoaseismicgroundsupportregimethatcouldwithstanda
localmagnitude+1.55eventascloseas10mfromthesource.Thisdynamic supportregimeutilisesnine
2.4msplitsetsperring,two6mdynamic(debonded)15.2mmcablesataringspacingof2.5m,50mm
fibrecrete and mesh down to 2m from the floor on each wall. The 6m debonded cables provide an
additional 3m of embedment length to support the larger wedges and allow for energy absorption if
dynamic ground movements occur. The mesh transfers the load to adjacent reinforcement, minimises
unravellingaroundcablesandcontainsanypotentialfibrecreteejection.
The Factor of Safety (FS) for a +1.55ML event at 10m was designed using equations proposed by
Kaiseretal. (1996) in Canadian rockburst support handbook. A target FS of 1.6 has been targeted and
achievedusingthesecalculations:

FS (1)

/
FS (2)

where:
m = massofejectedrock(kg).
v = ejectionvelocityoftheblock(m/s).
g = accelerationduetogravity(m/s2).
d = distanceejectedrockhastravelled.
q = 1,0or1forejectionfromthebacks,wallsorfloorrespectively.
The upgraded support work very well since implementation and has greatly reduced personnel and
equipment exposure to potentially hazardous rockfalls or ejection. Since upgrades were made, large
magnitude events (>1.0) have been experienced; however, all damage to the rock mass has been
effectivelyretainedbythesupportscheme.

3.3 Exclusion zones and re-entry

Exclusionzonescontrolreentryinto(mainly)stopingareasanddevelopmentheadingsafterblastingwhere
thereisapotentialriskofseismicitywithinaperiodoftimeafterastopeblast.Theseismicity,historyand
geologyofanareaareanalysedtodeterminethedegreeofseismicrisk.Reentrytimesaredeterminedby
seismic data analysed after each stope firing within the Walters Lode. This data includes the event
distribution and the number of events recorded per hour within the Walters Lode after a firing. These
cumulativehourlyeventsaregraphedonanOmoriChartandallowdeterminationofdecayconstantsanda
safereentrytime.
BackanalysisofeventdistributionspostfiringtheWaltersLodeshoweventsoccurringbetweentheW920
and W1040 along the first slip fault; this is illustrated in Figure8. Most events are clustered around the
fired stope; however, the damaging effects can be experienced along the fault planes and intersecting
drives. Therefore, any stope firings within the Walters Lode incurs an exclusion zone between the W920
andW1040.

142 Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia

 Designing for seismicity

Figure 8 W1000 F Rise Firing 2012

Backanalysisofseismicactivityafterfiringshowsthatthemajorityofeventsoccurwithinthefirsthourin
theWaltersLode.Theactualeventsgenerallysubsidefasterthanthedecaycurve;however,spikesinthe
eventsperhourcanoccurrandomly.Thesespikesdonotnecessarilyinterceptthedecaycurve;however,it
doesimplythatthereareseismicirregularitiestoaccountforbeforeanypersonnelaregrantedaccess.
Backanalysis data shows that the level of seismicity decays to background levels within 1820hours,
therefore the Walters Lode maintains a 24hour standoff upon firing. An example of the Omori Chart is
displayedinFigure9.

Figure 9 W1000 F Rise Omori Chart

Activityfromsomeseismicsources,particularlythoserelatedtofaultsliponstructures,canshowapoor
relationshipwithmineblasting.

4 Walters modelling
Both linear elastic (Map3D) and nonlinear numerical modelling have been undertaken for the Walters
extractionsequence.Theaimwastoforecastpotentialareasofdamageandseismicpotentialwithinthe
Walters Lode. Initial elastic models were run with various extraction sequences and the proposed stope
shapes.

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Design and management processes involved with extracting regional pillar stopes C Moulding and P Andrews
in a seismic setting at Darlot Gold Mine

ALevkovitchReuschmodelwascreatedtoprovideabasisfornonlinearmodelling(BeckEngineeringPty
Ltd2012).Thismodelshowedthat,regardlessofinitialsequence,thestopesclosesttothecentralaccess
wouldhavethelargestseismicresponse.ItwasestimatedthatthevastmajorityoftheWaltersLodeore
willberecoverable.However,modelledrockmassdamageassociatedwithfiringthecentralaccessstopes
could lead to increased rehabilitation requirements due to constant seismic activity as the central pillar
deformsunderload.Thismodelwasusedasthebasecasefortheoverallextractionsequence.
Sincethenonlinearmodelwasconducted,inhouseelasticnumericalmodellingwasconductedduetothe
additionofnewstopesoutsidethecurrentextractionsequences(Figure10).Thismodellingcomplemented
the existing modelling to determine if there would be any new significant effects on the rock mass or
stressesactingonthefaultsfromfurtherstopeextraction.Backanalysisofhistoricalfailuresandseismic
eventsidentifiedthreecriteriaonwhichforwardplanningwasmade.Table3detailsthefailurecriterions
thatwereassessedalongrockmassparametersfromTable4.

Figure 10 New proposed stopes alongside original stopes in July 2014 (perspective view looking east)

Table 3 Failure criteria assessed within the elastic numerical model (based on back-analysis)

Principlestresssigma1(1) StrengthfactorB Excessshearstressonfaults

Slightdamageisexpectedat
25%ofUCSvalues(55MPa)
Extensivedamageis
expectedat4050%ofUCS
values(88110MPa)
Completerockmassfailure
at60%ofUCSvalues
(130MPa)
Depthoffracturingwillbe
measuredtothe100MPa
contour
MethodBassumesthatthestress
pathtofailuretakesplaceby
increasing1withoutlossof
confinement
Thisisrepresentativeofapillar
failurewhere13isconsideredto
bethedrivingforce
Depthofdamagewillbemeasured
whenSFB=1
Attemptstocorrelateexcess
shearstressvalueswith
previousseismiceventsshow
thatinplaneexcessshear
strengthvalues>6MPaarean
appropriatevaluewhereshear
relateddamageonstructures
occurs

144 Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia

 Designing for seismicity

Table 4 Parameters associated with Walters Lode numerical modelling

Insitustress HoekBrown HoekBrown MohrCoulomb Rockmass Paste

values classification criterion fit parameters parameters
1=0.079MPa/m UCS1=220MPa Mb4=6.55175 Cohesion= Tension=2.0MPa 1.0MPa
trendingat90 GSI2=75 s5=0.0621765 18.9MPa Strength=54.7MPa Allowsthe
andplunging Frictionangle= modelto
Mi3=16 a5=0.500911 Globalstrength=
down12 41.9 observe
84.7MPa
passive
2=0.034MPa/m Deformationmodulus= confinement
3=0.029Mpa/m 42GPa frompaste
1
Uniaxialcompressivestrength;2geologicalstrengthindex;3materialconstant;4reducedvaluefortherockmassofthematerialconstantmi;
5
constantsbasedonrockmasscharacteristics

As the extraction proceeded, modelling indicated that the majority of stopes located behind previously
extracted and paste filled stopes were in a stress shadow and were not expected to have increased
seismicity. Stress concentrations remained within the central pillar access areas. Also, stopes which
encroachedonsmallersillpillarsshowedanincreasedfieldstress(70MPa+)betweenthepasteaboveand
thestopes.Thishigherstresscriterionindicatedthat4moutofa6mpillarcouldbeexpectedtofailupon
firingorinducedseismicresponses.Therefore,stopesthatreducedthesillpillarwereconsideredunsafeto
mine(Figure11).

Figure 11 W1035 S D&E proposed shape in the sill pillar

The modelling indicated high 1 values approximately 3.2m into the backs of the drive (Figure12). This
coincides with the anticipated wedge height potential discussed in Section 3.1. The debonded cable
supportwillstillhave2.8mofembedmentwithincompetentrockandshouldstillbeeffectivethroughthe
entirestopingsequence.Inaddition,allbrowsintheWaltersLodewillhaveextracablesupport.

Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia 145

Design and management processes involved with extracting regional pillar stopes C Moulding and P Andrews
in a seismic setting at Darlot Gold Mine

Figure 12 Rock mass damage potential in drives

ItwasfoundthatlossofconfinementintheHWcouldbeaprimarycauseofoverbreakwithinthemajority
of inclined shapes, especially with stopes which were overcut by extracted stopes above. The loss in
confinementisbecausetherockmassintheHWisonlyconfinedontwoabutments(Figure13).

Figure 13 Loss of confinement upon extracting stopes central to stress window

The modelling also allowed for shear stress changes to be recognised at certain steps of the mining
sequence.Itwasfoundthatcertainstopescouldinitiatearegionalstresschangealongthefaultstructures.
Theminingstepsthatshowedasuddenchangewereflaggedashighriskstopesandwereresequenced,
where possible, to late in the Walters Lode sequence. An example of this is the W980 HW A (Figure14)
which induces a regional shear stress change on the first slip fault, and has potential to cause seismic
induceddamageandfallout.

Figure 14 Regional shear stress change pre and post blasting W980 HW A Stope

146 Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia

 Designing for seismicity

Based on results from modelling, the following recommendations were made to management, and
documentedinaWaltersLodesequencereport:
Groundsupportneededtobeupgradedin1020and1040Levels(HW/FWdevelopmentaccess
whenitoccurs)toaccountforthemaximumdepthofdamageof3.2mintothebacks.
Evenafterallthegroundsupportupgradeworksarecompleted,occasionalrehabilitationworks
willberequired.
Someorereservesmaynotbemined,andarecoveryof80%isestimated.
Thenumericalmodelsuggeststhatallstopingactivitieswillcorrespondwithhighseismicevent
potential.
Centralaccesspillarstopessuchason1000and1020Levelsaretobemassblastedwhere
possibleandreentrywillbedeterminedbytheseismicitylevels.
Anystopesthatareleftaspillarsshouldbedestressedbymeansofpreconditionblasting,so
thattheydonotattractseismicity.
AvoidstopingtheW1035H/GandW980stopesatthesametime.Thiscouldcausethepillarto
crushandincreasetheshearstressalongthefirstslipfault.ThisisillustratedinFigure14.
Shapechangestothestopesthatundercutdrivesorstopesshouldbereevaluated,asthismay
helpreducestressrelatedfailuresandpotentialwedgefallouts.

5 Walters Lode management protocols

With all the seismic backanalysis data, inhouse and outsourced numerical modelling, proposed stope
shapes and support requirements could be determined. A set of protocols were implemented into the
planningandscheduledperformanceoftheWaltersLode;thesearedetailedinTable5.

Table 5 Management protocols for the Walters Lode extraction

Stopedesign Extraction Seismicity Groundsupport

Stopesaretobedesignedto Nomorethanthree Exclusionzones Alldrivesandcentral
thefirstslipfaultcontact. stopesaretobeleftopen uponstopefiring accessareas
Dilutionfactorsaretobe atatimewithoutpaste willbeaffected associatedwiththe
adjustedbasedonnumerical filling. betweentheW920 firstslipfaultrequire
modellingresultsand Followtheextractionin andW1040. dynamicground
expecteddepthoffailure. theapprovedsequence. Allexclusionzones supportupgrades
Economicsofstopestobe willbefor24hours beforeanystoping
Stopesarenottobeleft
discussedwithmanagement (andpotentially cancommenceon
idle,theyshouldbe
pendingthisinformation. longer)andmustbe thelevel.
boggedcleanbetween
HRof5isconsidereda eachfiringand determinedusing Allbrowsaretobe
maximumforinclinedstopes. completedassoonas anOmoriAnalysis supportedwith
possible. andevent additionalbrow
distribution. cables.

6 Conclusion
TheanalysisrevealedthatminingtheWaltersLodecomeswithinherentriskstoproductionandpersonnel,
regardless of the chosen mining sequence. Increased seismicity and rock mass damage are an inevitable
consequenceofreducingtheregionalpillardimensions.Thishasbeenfactoredintotheschedule.

Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia 147

Design and management processes involved with extracting regional pillar stopes C Moulding and P Andrews
in a seismic setting at Darlot Gold Mine

The final analysis showed that majority of safety issues could be mitigated with administrative control
systemsandappropriategroundcontrolstandards.
In addition to these management protocols, extraction will be closely monitored to assess whether the
seismic response and stope performance matches the modelling results. With new information available
aftereachstopefiring,thereistheabilitytofurthercalibratethemodeltoprovideanupdatedextraction
scenarioandhighlightanyneworchangingrisks.
Overall,theperformanceofthestopeextractionhasbeenasexpected,withdilutionfactorsbeingslightly
less than the modelling results. In accordance with the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee
(JORC2012) requirements, indicated modelled dilution was incorporated into the ore reserve economics
(asgeotechnicalconditionshaveamaterialeffect).Theseismicityhasbeenconsistentwiththemodelling
resultstodate.However,theeventmagnitudeshavenotbeengreaterthanthe+1.3eventwhichoccurred
on 20 February 2012. There has been no fall of ground or chronic deterioration of support within the
WaltersLodesincethesupportupgradeswerecompletedin2013.Itisexpectedthat the upgradeshave
dramaticallyreducedtheamountofrehabilitationworkrequired.
Inconclusion,itwouldbeconsideredacriticalsafetyandproductionriskiftheseanalyticalmethodswere
not conducted for a regional pillar scenario. Without the forecasted effects of mining, the Walters Lode
wouldhavebeenanunknown,andwouldlikelyhaveledtounexpectedpersonnelandequipmentexposure
to rockfall hazards; increased rehabilitation after stope firings; brow failures; additional over break;
heightenedseismicresponses;andeventhepotentialforsterilisationoftheremainingorereserves.

Acknowledgement
Theauthorsthankthefollowingorganisationsandpersonsforprovidingsupportandinvolvementwiththe
Waltersregionalpillarextraction.
DarlotGoldMineforprovidingimagesandsupport.
EmmaJonesandChristopherChesterBarrickGoldofAustralia.
DavidBeckandCharlesLilleyBeckEngineeringPtyLtd.
JohanWesselooandPaulHarrisAustralianCentreforGeomechanics.

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148 Underground Design Methods 2015, Perth, Australia