Introduction
Cut and fill mining is an underground mining method used for extracting steeply dipping, high-grade ore deposits. It involves mining the ore in horizontal slices and filling the void created with a paste or cemented backfill material.
There are two main types of cut and fill mining:
✳️ Overhand Cut and Fill
- Mining starts at the bottom and progresses upwards
- The excavated area is backfilled, and the fill becomes the working platform for the next level
✳️ Underhand Cut and Fill
- Mining progresses from the top down
- Less commonly used as the upper slices require less support
The key steps in the cut and fill mining process are:
- Drilling blast holes into the ore
- Blasting the ore
- Mucking out the broken ore
- Hauling the ore away
- Filling the void with waste rock, sand, cement or a paste backfill mixture
✳️ Cut and fill mining is suitable for:
- Steeply dipping, irregular ore bodies
- Deposits in poor ground conditions
- Selective mining to minimize dilution
- Adaptability to variations in the rock mass
✳️ Some advantages of cut and fill mining include:
- Ability to reuse waste rock or tailings as backfill
- Selective mining for high recovery with low dilution
- Flexibility to match the shape of the ore body
- Ability to safely extract pillars after backfilling
However, it is a relatively expensive method compared to other underground mining techniques. The backfill material must be carefully designed to provide adequate support.
Conclusion
To conclude, cut and fill mining is a versatile method well-suited for extracting high-value metal deposits in challenging ground conditions. The selectivity and adaptability of the method make it a popular choice for many underground mines.
Citations:
https://anundergroundminer.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-cut-and-fill-mining-method
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/cut-fill-mining-method/228605004
