Evaluation of rock-mass state in Polish copper mines through monitoring the borehole deformations

Sensors for borehole deformation measurements in mining panel roofs, as well as a method of high-energy tremors risk evaluation, based on borehole deformation monitoring are described. There are differences in manners in which borehole deformation takes place prior to a high-energy tremor. A method for rock-mass instability detection in copper mining panels is developed and described, as well as a practical procedure for forecasting the rock-mass state. On the basis of 1351 “real time” forecasts made in the 10 copper mine panels during 5451 days and on the basis of the 55 high-energy tremors occurred, the evaluation of forecast effectiveness is presented. The mean chance value of occurrence of the high-energy tremor after a rock-mass stability forecast was evaluated as 1% and after a rock-mass instability forecast, as 20%.