O impacto econômico da diluição não planejada está distribuído no aumento de custos diversos do processo, como carregamento, transporte, britagem e moagem, ocasionando um desperdício na capacidade total de processo. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo inicial quantificar a ocorrência de diluição não planejada existente no hangingwall de uma mina subterrânea de ouro com método Transversal Stope e recuperação de pilares com uso de enchimento cimentado. Posteriormente está o uso de modelagem numérica com o objetivo de reproduzir a ocorrência de diluição, além de proporcionar a verificação e otimização de diferentes geometrias para os stopes. A diluição pode ser atribuída tanto a forma de extração (desenho dos stopes, sequência, perfuração e desmonte), além de problemas geomecânicos (qualidade do maciço, cablebolts e estado tensional). Otimizações para reduzir a diluição não planejada requerem um entendimento de todos esses fatores que afetam direta e indiretamente o ingresso de material estéril do hangingwall nos stopes. Este trabalho tem como foco principal verificar a diluição proveniente de problemas geomecânicos e de desenho dos stopes. As ferramentas utilizadas para analisar e quantificar os fatores de diluição foram: escâner de cavidades (CMS - Cavity Monitoring System) e software 3D capaz de efetuar operações booleanas. A diluição no hangingwall foi quantificada por meio da metodologia do fator ELOS. Para reproduzir a diluição nos stopes foram utilizados modelos numéricos de elementos finitos sendo que cinco stopes primários foram selecionados e utilizados para calibração dos modelos. O volume da zona de relaxamento no hangingwall, produzido pelos modelos, apresentou uma boa correlação com o volume da diluição real, refletindo a realidade dos stopes produzidos na mina. Então, a partir dos modelos calibrados, foram produzidos novos modelos com diferentes geometrias de stopes onde foi possível observar diversas oportunidades de melhorias na redução da diluição do método, fazendose modificações no desenho dos stopes/galerias e nos cablebolts instalados no hangingwall. / The economic impact of unplanned dilution is distributed in an increase in many costs of the process, such as loading, transport, crushing and grinding, resulting in less overall process capability. This work has as main goal quantify the unplanned dilution in the hangingwall of an underground gold mine with pillar less Transversal Stopes method, using cemented rock fill. After, numerical modeling will be used in order to reproduce the occurrence of dilution, and provide verification and optimization of different geometries for stopes. Overbreak can be attributed to both the shape extraction (design of the stopes, sequence, drill and blast), and geotechnical problems (rock quality, cablebolts and tensional state). Efforts to reduce unplanned dilution require an understanding of all these factors that directly and indirectly affect the inflow of waste material from hangingwall to the open stopes. This work is mainly focused on checking the dilution from geomechanical problems and design of the stopes. The main tools used in the analysis of dilution factors were Cavity Monitoring System (CMS) and 3D software able to perform boolean operations. The dilution in the hanging wall was quantified by the ELOS methodology. To reproduce the dilution in the stopes, numerical finite element models were used and five primary stopes were selected as calibration models. The volume of the relaxation zone at the hanging wall, produced by the models, showed good correlation with the volume of actual dilution, reflecting the reality of stopes produced at the mine. Then, from the calibrated models were produced new models with different stopes geometries where we could see several opportunities for improvement in reducing the dilution of the method, making some modifications to the design of the stopes/galleries and in cablebolts of the hangingwall.

O impacto econômico da diluição não planejada está distribuído no aumento de custos diversos do processo, como carregamento, transporte, britagem e moagem, ocasionando um desperdício na capacidade total de processo. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo inicial quantificar a ocorrência de diluição não planejada existente no hangingwall de uma mina subterrânea de ouro com método Transversal Stope e recuperação de pilares com uso de enchimento cimentado. Posteriormente está o uso de modelagem numérica com o objetivo de reproduzir a ocorrência de diluição, além de proporcionar a verificação e otimização de diferentes geometrias para os stopes. A diluição pode ser atribuída tanto a forma de extração (desenho dos stopes, sequência, perfuração e desmonte), além de problemas geomecânicos (qualidade do maciço, cablebolts e estado tensional). Otimizações para reduzir a diluição não planejada requerem um entendimento de todos esses fatores que afetam direta e indiretamente o ingresso de material estéril do hangingwall nos stopes. Este trabalho tem como foco principal verificar a diluição proveniente de problemas geomecânicos e de desenho dos stopes. As ferramentas utilizadas para analisar e quantificar os fatores de diluição foram: escâner de cavidades (CMS - Cavity Monitoring System) e software 3D capaz de efetuar operações booleanas. A diluição no hangingwall foi quantificada por meio da metodologia do fator ELOS. Para reproduzir a diluição nos stopes foram utilizados modelos numéricos de elementos finitos sendo que cinco stopes primários foram selecionados e utilizados para calibração dos modelos. O volume da zona de relaxamento no hangingwall, produzido pelos modelos, apresentou uma boa correlação com o volume da diluição real, refletindo a realidade dos stopes produzidos na mina. Então, a partir dos modelos calibrados, foram produzidos novos modelos com diferentes geometrias de stopes onde foi possível observar diversas oportunidades de melhorias na redução da diluição do método, fazendose modificações no desenho dos stopes/galerias e nos cablebolts instalados no hangingwall. / The economic impact of unplanned dilution is distributed in an increase in many costs of the process, such as loading, transport, crushing and grinding, resulting in less overall process capability. This work has as main goal quantify the unplanned dilution in the hangingwall of an underground gold mine with pillar less Transversal Stopes method, using cemented rock fill. After, numerical modeling will be used in order to reproduce the occurrence of dilution, and provide verification and optimization of different geometries for stopes. Overbreak can be attributed to both the shape extraction (design of the stopes, sequence, drill and blast), and geotechnical problems (rock quality, cablebolts and tensional state). Efforts to reduce unplanned dilution require an understanding of all these factors that directly and indirectly affect the inflow of waste material from hangingwall to the open stopes. This work is mainly focused on checking the dilution from geomechanical problems and design of the stopes. The main tools used in the analysis of dilution factors were Cavity Monitoring System (CMS) and 3D software able to perform boolean operations. The dilution in the hanging wall was quantified by the ELOS methodology. To reproduce the dilution in the stopes, numerical finite element models were used and five primary stopes were selected as calibration models. The volume of the relaxation zone at the hanging wall, produced by the models, showed good correlation with the volume of actual dilution, reflecting the reality of stopes produced at the mine. Then, from the calibrated models were produced new models with different stopes geometries where we could see several opportunities for improvement in reducing the dilution of the method, making some modifications to the design of the stopes/galleries and in cablebolts of the hangingwall.

O impacto econômico da diluição não planejada está distribuído no aumento de custos diversos do processo, como carregamento, transporte, britagem e moagem, ocasionando um desperdício na capacidade total de processo. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo inicial quantificar a ocorrência de diluição não planejada existente no hangingwall de uma mina subterrânea de ouro com método Transversal Stope e recuperação de pilares com uso de enchimento cimentado. Posteriormente está o uso de modelagem numérica com o objetivo de reproduzir a ocorrência de diluição, além de proporcionar a verificação e otimização de diferentes geometrias para os stopes. A diluição pode ser atribuída tanto a forma de extração (desenho dos stopes, sequência, perfuração e desmonte), além de problemas geomecânicos (qualidade do maciço, cablebolts e estado tensional). Otimizações para reduzir a diluição não planejada requerem um entendimento de todos esses fatores que afetam direta e indiretamente o ingresso de material estéril do hangingwall nos stopes. Este trabalho tem como foco principal verificar a diluição proveniente de problemas geomecânicos e de desenho dos stopes. As ferramentas utilizadas para analisar e quantificar os fatores de diluição foram: escâner de cavidades (CMS - Cavity Monitoring System) e software 3D capaz de efetuar operações booleanas. A diluição no hangingwall foi quantificada por meio da metodologia do fator ELOS. Para reproduzir a diluição nos stopes foram utilizados modelos numéricos de elementos finitos sendo que cinco stopes primários foram selecionados e utilizados para calibração dos modelos. O volume da zona de relaxamento no hangingwall, produzido pelos modelos, apresentou uma boa correlação com o volume da diluição real, refletindo a realidade dos stopes produzidos na mina. Então, a partir dos modelos calibrados, foram produzidos novos modelos com diferentes geometrias de stopes onde foi possível observar diversas oportunidades de melhorias na redução da diluição do método, fazendose modificações no desenho dos stopes/galerias e nos cablebolts instalados no hangingwall. / The economic impact of unplanned dilution is distributed in an increase in many costs of the process, such as loading, transport, crushing and grinding, resulting in less overall process capability. This work has as main goal quantify the unplanned dilution in the hangingwall of an underground gold mine with pillar less Transversal Stopes method, using cemented rock fill. After, numerical modeling will be used in order to reproduce the occurrence of dilution, and provide verification and optimization of different geometries for stopes. Overbreak can be attributed to both the shape extraction (design of the stopes, sequence, drill and blast), and geotechnical problems (rock quality, cablebolts and tensional state). Efforts to reduce unplanned dilution require an understanding of all these factors that directly and indirectly affect the inflow of waste material from hangingwall to the open stopes. This work is mainly focused on checking the dilution from geomechanical problems and design of the stopes. The main tools used in the analysis of dilution factors were Cavity Monitoring System (CMS) and 3D software able to perform boolean operations. The dilution in the hanging wall was quantified by the ELOS methodology. To reproduce the dilution in the stopes, numerical finite element models were used and five primary stopes were selected as calibration models. The volume of the relaxation zone at the hanging wall, produced by the models, showed good correlation with the volume of actual dilution, reflecting the reality of stopes produced at the mine. Then, from the calibrated models were produced new models with different stopes geometries where we could see several opportunities for improvement in reducing the dilution of the method, making some modifications to the design of the stopes/galleries and in cablebolts of the hangingwall.

Student Number : 7439270 - MSc research report - School of Mining - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / In tabular mining, common in South African gold and platinum mines, the removal of the tabular ore body by mining operations leaves behind excavations known as stopes. These stopes form the production areas of a mine and have to be supported in order that a safe working environment is created. Stopes generally have widths of close to a metre but, in some areas and on certain reefs, may be much wider. Prior to the 1980s, a combination of in-stope pillars and timber was used to support these stopes, but innovations from the 1970s have produced grout packs as a viable support option. These packs are cast in situ through the use of cemented classified tailings gravitated from surface and placed in reinforced geotextile bags at the stope face. As these packs cure and become rigid they are able to bear load when compressed by stope closure. In this way, the packs keep the working areas open. To quantify the load-bearing capacity of grout packs, a range of sizes and designs was tested in a laboratory press and, thereafter, a select few were tested underground. Initially, two aspects of grout packs that had not been adequately quantified previously were addressed. These were: the in situ load / compression characteristics of different forms of grout packs; and the relationship between laboratory test results and in situ performance. The laboratory test programme was extended to allow for an investigation into methods of improving the yieldability of grout packs and the possibility of using them to replace in-stope pillars. It was found that the factors that most affect the initial strength and post-failure characteristics of a grout pack are: the grout strength; the amount and type of steel reinforcement; the inclusion of ancillary columnar support; and the height and diameter of the pack. It was also found that grout packs could be used to replace in-stope pillars, but that pack strength and spacing should be conservatively calculated before implementation. A provisional relationship between the behaviour of packs tested in a press and those placed underground was determined.

O desmonte de rocha com uso de explosivos, aplicado à extração subterrânea de recursos minerais é uma tarefa impar que exige perícia e planejamento detalhado. Nesse contexto, essa dissertação tem sua relevância devido à apresentação de metodologias que visam aprimorar os processos envolvidos com o desmonte de rocha com uso de perfurações radiais, aplicado ao método de mineração subterrânea câmaras transversais, variante do método sublevel stoping. Para cumprir esse objetivo foram estabelecidas metodologias embasadas na utilização de registros sismográficos dos desmontes, mapeamento por laser das câmaras de lavra, registros operacionais da mina estudada. As metodologias aplicadas nas operações de mina incluíram: a segregação entre as atividades de perfuração e desmonte de rocha para assim aprimorar o ciclo operacional, a implantação de desmontes massivos como forma de aumentar a taxa de produção. A mudança na geometria das câmaras, a fim preservar o teto das mesmas. Um experimento com diferentes arranjos de retardo nos desmontes, como forma de determinar a configuração temporal menos nociva em termos de vibração, e por fim, a aplicação de uma nova malha de perfuração baseada no método dos triângulos reorientados de Hagan (1988), que visava diminuir a necessidade de perfuração e melhorar a distribuição energética dos desmontes em leque. As modificações propostas geraram resultados positivos, respectivamente quanto: aumento da eficiência dos ciclos de perfuração em 49% e aumento de 54% na produtividade das câmaras no período estudado, devido a implementação de desmontes massivos somados a segregação das atividades de perfuração e desmonte. Observou se a diminuição significativa da sobre-quebra (back break) do teto, da mesma forma os danos aos cabos de ancoragem (cable-bolts) foram reduzidos, resultados estes oriundos das modificações na geometria das câmaras. Os testes com diferentes arranjos de retardos demonstraram que o arranjo: 50ms entre furos e 200ms entre linhas, gerou a menor intensidade de vibração. O teste com o padrão de perfuração baseado na técnica de Hagan apresentou melhor índice de perfuração específica, porém, resultou em uma recuperação menor do que a média usual das câmaras, (76% contra 85%). Pode-se concluir que as metodologias propostas foram validas como medidas de aprimoramento das operações de perfuração e desmonte de rocha, a exceção da técnica dos triângulos reorientados de Hagan. Também foi possível concluir que a razão entre os valores de retardos intra linhas (L-L) e intra furos (F-F) influi diretamente na intensidade de vibração. / The blasting of rocks, applied to the underground extraction of mineral resources is a difficult task that requires expertise and detailed planning. In this context, this dissertation has its relevance due to the presentation of methodologies that aim to improve the processes involved with the blasting of rocks utilizing ring drilling, applied to the underground mining method transversal stopes, a variant of the method sublevel stoping. To fulfill this objective, methodologies based on the use of seismographic records of the blasting events, laser scanners of the stopes and operational records of the mine were used, as well as the use of Micromine software. The methodologies applied in mine operations included: segregation between rock drilling and blasting activities to improve the operational cycle, the implantation of the concept of mass blasting as a way to increase the production rate, the change in the drilling pattern in order to preserve the roof of the stopes, an experiment with different arrangements of delays for the blasting, as a way to determine the less harmful configuration in terms of vibration and finally the application of a new drilling pattern based on the reoriented triangles method of Hagan (1988), which aimed to reduce the need for drilling and to improve the energy distribution of the rings of drilling. The proposed modifications generated positive results, respectively: increase in the efficiency of the drilling cycles by 49% and a 54% increase in the productivity of the studied period, due to the implementation of mass blasting concept added to the segregation of drilling and blasting activities. It was observed that the significant decrease of the back break of the roof, in the same way the damages to the cables of reinforcement (cable-bolts) were reduced, as a result from the modifications in the drillings. The tests with different delay arrangements showed that the arrangement: 50ms between holes and 200ms between rows, generated the lowest vibration intensity. The Hagan technique-based drilling test showed a better specific drilling index, but resulted in a lower ore recovery than the usual to the stopes mean (76% vs. 85%). It can be concluded that the proposed methodologies were valid as measures of improvement of the operations of drilling and blasting of rock, except for the technique of the reoriented triangles of Hagan. It was also possible to conclude that the ratio between inter ring and inter-hole delays directly influences the vibration intensity.

This dissertation suggests that burgeoning public discourse on contraception in Britain and the United States between 1915 and 1940 created a paradigm shift in perceptions of women’s sexuality that altered the ways that women could be represented in literary texts. It offers readings of texts by women on both sides of the Atlantic who responded to birth control discourse not only by referencing contraceptive techniques, but also by incorporating arguments and dilemmas used by birth control advocates into their writing. The introductory chapter, which frames the later literary analysis chapters, examines similarities in the tropes Margaret Sanger and Marie Stopes, the British and American “Mothers of Birth Control” used in their advocacy. These include images such as mothers dying in childbirth, younger children in large families weakened by their mothers’ ill-health, and sexual dysfunction in traditional marriages. In addition to this chapter on birth control advocates’ texts, the dissertation includes four chapters meant to demonstrate how literary authors used and adapted the tropes and language of the birth control movement to their own narratives and perspectives. The first of these chapters focuses on Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s Herland, a 1915 political allegory about a nation populated only by women who have gained the ability to reproduce asexually. Gilman adopted pro-birth control language, but rejected the politically radical ideas of the early birth control movement. In addition to radical politics, the birth control movement was associated with racist eugenicist ideas, an association that the third chapter, on Nella Larsen’s 1928 novel Quicksand examines in detail by comparing birth control and African-American racial uplift rhetoric. Crossing the Atlantic, the fourth chapter looks at the influence of the English birth control movement on Irish novelist Kate O’Brien’s 1931 Without My Cloak, a novel that challenges Catholic narratives as well as the heteronormative assumptions of birth control discourse itself. The final chapter analyzes Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway (1925) and Three Guineas (1938), illuminating Woolf’s connections between feminist reproductive politics and conservative pro-eugenics agendas. Acknowledging the complexity of these writers’ engagements with the birth control movement, the project explores not simply the effects of the movement’s discourse on writers’ depictions of sexuality, reproduction, and race, but also the dialogue between literary writers and the birth control establishment, which comprises a previously overlooked part of the formation of both the reproductive rights movement and the Modernist political project.

O desmonte de rocha com uso de explosivos, aplicado à extração subterrânea de recursos minerais é uma tarefa impar que exige perícia e planejamento detalhado. Nesse contexto, essa dissertação tem sua relevância devido à apresentação de metodologias que visam aprimorar os processos envolvidos com o desmonte de rocha com uso de perfurações radiais, aplicado ao método de mineração subterrânea câmaras transversais, variante do método sublevel stoping. Para cumprir esse objetivo foram estabelecidas metodologias embasadas na utilização de registros sismográficos dos desmontes, mapeamento por laser das câmaras de lavra, registros operacionais da mina estudada. As metodologias aplicadas nas operações de mina incluíram: a segregação entre as atividades de perfuração e desmonte de rocha para assim aprimorar o ciclo operacional, a implantação de desmontes massivos como forma de aumentar a taxa de produção. A mudança na geometria das câmaras, a fim preservar o teto das mesmas. Um experimento com diferentes arranjos de retardo nos desmontes, como forma de determinar a configuração temporal menos nociva em termos de vibração, e por fim, a aplicação de uma nova malha de perfuração baseada no método dos triângulos reorientados de Hagan (1988), que visava diminuir a necessidade de perfuração e melhorar a distribuição energética dos desmontes em leque. As modificações propostas geraram resultados positivos, respectivamente quanto: aumento da eficiência dos ciclos de perfuração em 49% e aumento de 54% na produtividade das câmaras no período estudado, devido a implementação de desmontes massivos somados a segregação das atividades de perfuração e desmonte. Observou se a diminuição significativa da sobre-quebra (back break) do teto, da mesma forma os danos aos cabos de ancoragem (cable-bolts) foram reduzidos, resultados estes oriundos das modificações na geometria das câmaras. Os testes com diferentes arranjos de retardos demonstraram que o arranjo: 50ms entre furos e 200ms entre linhas, gerou a menor intensidade de vibração. O teste com o padrão de perfuração baseado na técnica de Hagan apresentou melhor índice de perfuração específica, porém, resultou em uma recuperação menor do que a média usual das câmaras, (76% contra 85%). Pode-se concluir que as metodologias propostas foram validas como medidas de aprimoramento das operações de perfuração e desmonte de rocha, a exceção da técnica dos triângulos reorientados de Hagan. Também foi possível concluir que a razão entre os valores de retardos intra linhas (L-L) e intra furos (F-F) influi diretamente na intensidade de vibração. / The blasting of rocks, applied to the underground extraction of mineral resources is a difficult task that requires expertise and detailed planning. In this context, this dissertation has its relevance due to the presentation of methodologies that aim to improve the processes involved with the blasting of rocks utilizing ring drilling, applied to the underground mining method transversal stopes, a variant of the method sublevel stoping. To fulfill this objective, methodologies based on the use of seismographic records of the blasting events, laser scanners of the stopes and operational records of the mine were used, as well as the use of Micromine software. The methodologies applied in mine operations included: segregation between rock drilling and blasting activities to improve the operational cycle, the implantation of the concept of mass blasting as a way to increase the production rate, the change in the drilling pattern in order to preserve the roof of the stopes, an experiment with different arrangements of delays for the blasting, as a way to determine the less harmful configuration in terms of vibration and finally the application of a new drilling pattern based on the reoriented triangles method of Hagan (1988), which aimed to reduce the need for drilling and to improve the energy distribution of the rings of drilling. The proposed modifications generated positive results, respectively: increase in the efficiency of the drilling cycles by 49% and a 54% increase in the productivity of the studied period, due to the implementation of mass blasting concept added to the segregation of drilling and blasting activities. It was observed that the significant decrease of the back break of the roof, in the same way the damages to the cables of reinforcement (cable-bolts) were reduced, as a result from the modifications in the drillings. The tests with different delay arrangements showed that the arrangement: 50ms between holes and 200ms between rows, generated the lowest vibration intensity. The Hagan technique-based drilling test showed a better specific drilling index, but resulted in a lower ore recovery than the usual to the stopes mean (76% vs. 85%). It can be concluded that the proposed methodologies were valid as measures of improvement of the operations of drilling and blasting of rock, except for the technique of the reoriented triangles of Hagan. It was also possible to conclude that the ratio between inter ring and inter-hole delays directly influences the vibration intensity.

O desmonte de rocha com uso de explosivos, aplicado à extração subterrânea de recursos minerais é uma tarefa impar que exige perícia e planejamento detalhado. Nesse contexto, essa dissertação tem sua relevância devido à apresentação de metodologias que visam aprimorar os processos envolvidos com o desmonte de rocha com uso de perfurações radiais, aplicado ao método de mineração subterrânea câmaras transversais, variante do método sublevel stoping. Para cumprir esse objetivo foram estabelecidas metodologias embasadas na utilização de registros sismográficos dos desmontes, mapeamento por laser das câmaras de lavra, registros operacionais da mina estudada. As metodologias aplicadas nas operações de mina incluíram: a segregação entre as atividades de perfuração e desmonte de rocha para assim aprimorar o ciclo operacional, a implantação de desmontes massivos como forma de aumentar a taxa de produção. A mudança na geometria das câmaras, a fim preservar o teto das mesmas. Um experimento com diferentes arranjos de retardo nos desmontes, como forma de determinar a configuração temporal menos nociva em termos de vibração, e por fim, a aplicação de uma nova malha de perfuração baseada no método dos triângulos reorientados de Hagan (1988), que visava diminuir a necessidade de perfuração e melhorar a distribuição energética dos desmontes em leque. As modificações propostas geraram resultados positivos, respectivamente quanto: aumento da eficiência dos ciclos de perfuração em 49% e aumento de 54% na produtividade das câmaras no período estudado, devido a implementação de desmontes massivos somados a segregação das atividades de perfuração e desmonte. Observou se a diminuição significativa da sobre-quebra (back break) do teto, da mesma forma os danos aos cabos de ancoragem (cable-bolts) foram reduzidos, resultados estes oriundos das modificações na geometria das câmaras. Os testes com diferentes arranjos de retardos demonstraram que o arranjo: 50ms entre furos e 200ms entre linhas, gerou a menor intensidade de vibração. O teste com o padrão de perfuração baseado na técnica de Hagan apresentou melhor índice de perfuração específica, porém, resultou em uma recuperação menor do que a média usual das câmaras, (76% contra 85%). Pode-se concluir que as metodologias propostas foram validas como medidas de aprimoramento das operações de perfuração e desmonte de rocha, a exceção da técnica dos triângulos reorientados de Hagan. Também foi possível concluir que a razão entre os valores de retardos intra linhas (L-L) e intra furos (F-F) influi diretamente na intensidade de vibração. / The blasting of rocks, applied to the underground extraction of mineral resources is a difficult task that requires expertise and detailed planning. In this context, this dissertation has its relevance due to the presentation of methodologies that aim to improve the processes involved with the blasting of rocks utilizing ring drilling, applied to the underground mining method transversal stopes, a variant of the method sublevel stoping. To fulfill this objective, methodologies based on the use of seismographic records of the blasting events, laser scanners of the stopes and operational records of the mine were used, as well as the use of Micromine software. The methodologies applied in mine operations included: segregation between rock drilling and blasting activities to improve the operational cycle, the implantation of the concept of mass blasting as a way to increase the production rate, the change in the drilling pattern in order to preserve the roof of the stopes, an experiment with different arrangements of delays for the blasting, as a way to determine the less harmful configuration in terms of vibration and finally the application of a new drilling pattern based on the reoriented triangles method of Hagan (1988), which aimed to reduce the need for drilling and to improve the energy distribution of the rings of drilling. The proposed modifications generated positive results, respectively: increase in the efficiency of the drilling cycles by 49% and a 54% increase in the productivity of the studied period, due to the implementation of mass blasting concept added to the segregation of drilling and blasting activities. It was observed that the significant decrease of the back break of the roof, in the same way the damages to the cables of reinforcement (cable-bolts) were reduced, as a result from the modifications in the drillings. The tests with different delay arrangements showed that the arrangement: 50ms between holes and 200ms between rows, generated the lowest vibration intensity. The Hagan technique-based drilling test showed a better specific drilling index, but resulted in a lower ore recovery than the usual to the stopes mean (76% vs. 85%). It can be concluded that the proposed methodologies were valid as measures of improvement of the operations of drilling and blasting of rock, except for the technique of the reoriented triangles of Hagan. It was also possible to conclude that the ratio between inter ring and inter-hole delays directly influences the vibration intensity.

The cut-off grade determines what rock mass are economic to mine. At the Dannemora mine, in eastern Bergslagen, Sweden, previously processed ore generated tailings (enrichment sand) with an iron content of 21-22 % that was backfilled into large open bodies (stopes) in the mine between 2013-2015. However, the tailings are now considered as ore reserves due to an upgraded processing plant that lowered the cut-off from 30 % Fe to 15 % Fe. Further, with the current lowered cut-off, Grängesberg Exploration Holding AB intends to restart production of iron ore in the Dannemora mine in new ore bodies. However, before starting full operation of excavating the ore bodies and extracting the large ore reserve of tailings, several challenges related to the rock stability need to be well assessed. The main goal of this project is therefore to investigate what would be the safest and most economical technique to extract the tailings that currently act as a stabilising rock mass against the side walls. Investigation of borehole data, drill cores, and geometric calculations, were conducted to characterise the stope host rocks in terms of risk for rock failure and leads to several statements. The results reveal that the host rock has a high strength (70-80 % RQD) and there is a low risk of spalling deformation at the extracted depths when the tailings will be removed. However, deformation as wedge failure could potentially occur when the stabilising tailings will be removed. Further, it is shown that the amount of tailings that can be extracted represent approximately more than one year of iron ore production in the mine. Analysis of the host rock shows that dilution of the tailings can be favourable if the caved wall rocks contain marble or skarn, with ore sections > 15 % Fe. The workflow demonstrates that extraction of low diluted tailings should be done at sublevel 350 meters, before extraction of high diluted tailings at sublevel 442-446 meters. Backfilling must be done simultaneously in order to preserve the stability against the side walls as the tailings are removed. This project demonstrates that tailing extraction is possible, while maintaining the stability of the host rock. The workflow presented in this thesis could be used as an approach for similar mining operations aiming to extract backfilled material and once again process it. / En cut-off halt bestämmer vid vilken halt som en bergmassa innehållandes värdefulla metaller, blir ekonomiskt brytningsbar (malm). Vid Dannemoragruvan i östra Bergslagen, Sverige, har tidigare bearbetad malm bildat en icke värdefull restprodukt (anrikningssand), innehållandes en järnhalt om 21-22 %, som återfylldes i stora brytningsrum inuti gruvan mellan 2013-2015. Anrikningssanden har nu blivit ansett som malm igen då ett uppgraderat anrikningsverk sänkt cut-off halten från 30 % Fe, till 15 % Fe. Med den sänkta cut-off halten, undersöker Grängesberg Exploration Holding AB vidare hur en återstart av Dannemoragruvan, och utbrytning av ännu inte utbrutna malmkroppar, och uttag av den stora malmreserven av anrikningssanden, ska ske. Däremot måste flera utmaningar i form av bergstabilitet undersökas, innan uttaget av malmkropparna och den återfyllda anrikningssanden kan ske. Detta arbete siktar till att undersöka vilket tillvägagångsätt som skulle vara det säkraste och lönsammaste att extrahera anrikningssanden ifrån, då de agerar stabiliserande mot sidoväggarna i de stora brytningsrummen. Undersökning av borrhålsdata, borrkärnor, och geometriska beräkningar, utfördas för att karakterisera sidoberget till brytningsrummen för att förstå risken för bergdeformation. Resultaten visar på en stabil bergmassa (70-80 % RQD) med en liten risk för spjälkning (uppsprickning) vid de undersökta djupen. Risk för bergdeformation inträffar i stället som kilutfall när den stabiliserande anrikningssanden extraheras. Vidare beräknas det att ungefär mer än en årsproduktion av järnmalm kan extraheras i form av anrikningssand från de återfyllda brytningsrummen. Analys av sidoberget visar dessutom att utspädning av anrikningssanden genom blockutfall och uppsprickning, kan bli fördelaktigt om sidoberget innehåller marmor eller skarn med malmsektioner > 15 % järn. Tillvägagångssättet för extrahering av anrikningssanden bör ske från djup 350 meter, innan den högre halten av utspädd anrikningssand extraheras från djup 442-446 meter. Återfyllning måste ske samtidigt för att bevara bergsstabiliteten mot sidoväggarna. Detta arbete visar att extrahering av anrikningssanden är möjligt, samtidigt som bergstabiliteten bevaras. Arbetsflödet skulle kunna användas som ett tillvägagångssätt för framtida gruvoperationer som söker att extrahera återfyllt material och åter anrika det.