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Evaluation of the stability of small diameter mining excavations using geomechanical classifications and empirical analysis: The case of the san Juan mine, Ecuador

Abstract:

Rock mass classifications are used throughout the world since the 1970’s. It is a methodology for the prefeasibility assessment of the stability of underground openings. The most used are the Bieniawski’s RMR and the Barton’s Q index. The latter is the one we have used in this study. It is an empirical approach that gives a numerical score to the rock mass quality to determine the degree of stability or reinforcement required. In this research, the Q index is applied to assess the stability of galleries and veins in a small gold mine in Canton Ponce Enriquez, Ecuador. A new empirical chart has been established using previous ones and considering the results of the study. This chart can be used to determine the safety factor and stable maximum span that can be opened in vein-mines of this type. One of the main contributions of the work is to validate the Barton index to small holes.