Interaction between stress, mine geometry and rock mass behaviour at a Canadian shield mine

Characterizing the spatial distribution of rock stresses is a challenge, especially in the geologically complex environments typically found at most metalliferous mines. Therefore instead of focusing, specifically, on the task of making stress measurements, the engineer should instead attempt to develop a better understanding of the interaction between stress, mining geometry and rock mass behaviour. This paper demonstrates such an approach using a Canadian Shield hardrock mine case study, in which geomechanical models are used lo relate stress, mining geometry, and rock mass properties to observed excavation response, and numerical modelling is used to better quantify this interaction.