Choice and substantiation of stable crown shapes in deep-level iron ore mining

Purpose. The aim of the paper is to select and substantiate stable shapes of crown pillars through determining regularities of rock pressure impacts on their stability depending on the crown shapes, mining depths and iron ore hardness. Methods. Stress and strain calculations are performed by the ANSYS 16.0 finite element analysis. Triangulation of the 3D model with a 2 m side is conducted to build stress and strain diagrams. In accordance with the conditions of the experiment, the models were created for horizontal, tent, arched and inclined stope crowns with the dip varying within a wide range. The assumed values of rock pressure on the ore massif conform to mining conditions of the Kryvyi Rih basin deposits at the depths of 1200 to 1700 m. Findings. The obtained values of maximum stresses in stope crowns were calculated in respect to mining depth, rock pressure, crown dip, iron ore hardness and relative curvature radius of the arched crowns. It was determined that vertical and inclined compensating rooms should be used in mining rich iron ores at great depths by sublevel caving systems. In case of the room-and-pillar systems used in mining rich iron ores at great depths, a key requirement is to apply tent and arched crowns which provide maximum stability under high rock pressure. Originality. The research proves that the integrated index of maximum stresses in crown pillars varies from –10 to +32 MPa at depths of over 1200 m and is in polynomial and logarithmic dependence on physical and mechanical properties of the ore mass. It also depends on the crown geometry and, in case of the arched crown, acquires minimal values allowing for stable crown pillar exposures at depths reaching 2000 m. Practical implications. The research results allowed to compile the methodological manual “Choice and substantiation of stable crown shapes in deep-level iron ore mining” for the underground mines of the PJSC “Sukha Balka” and “Rodina” mine of the PJSC “Kryvbaszalizrudkom”.