Numerical Analysis of Backfill Face Stability

It is a well-established fact that backfill is used in underground mines as a means for ground stability while achieving high ore extraction ratio. Backfill failure into adjacent secondary stopeshas a direct and large influence on the cost of mining the stope, and finally, on the profitability of a mining operation. Backfill failure adds to the operating cost of fill transportation (to replace the failed volume) as well as the cost of mucking, haulage, milling and ore processing. In some cases,major fill failure could lead to unstable and unsafe mining conditions within the stoping environment. This paper presents the results of a numerical modelling study using PHASE 2, whereby, backfill wall face stability is studied due to the mining of adjacent (secondary) stope. The results are compared to demonstrate how backfill helps by offering good confinement to the host rock mass.