Block forced caving with continuous pillarless ore extraction (Zapolyarny mine, Norilsk Combine)

Abstract

The Norilsk polymetallic deposit is developed by underground mining in difficult mining and geological conditions. The ore deposit is located in the permafrost zone, has intensively developed fracturing, a thick cover of overlying rocks and is characterized by the release of methane into underground workings from coal seams underlying the ore deposit. At the Zapolyarny mine (formerly named No. 7/9) disseminated ores were mined using a chamber-and-pillar system with ore storages or with breaking from sublevel drifts. These systems were abandoned because they did not provide safe working conditions for miners and stability of inter-chamber pillars.

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