Determination of Most Favorable Room and Post Pillar Combination in Cut and Fill Stopes: A Finite Element Method (FEM) Based Analysis

In the case of the Cut and Fill with Post and Pillar stopping scenario, the assessment of the real physical behaviors of the stope and pillars prior to the actual mining operation are found to be the most important criterion for a successful and reliable design technique. Dimensions of stope elements are key factors in cut and fill with post and pillar stopping method, especially when the ore bodies have irregular shape and varying dip. In this research, a procedure has been designed to examine the stress- strain condition of post pillars with varied room dimensions and optimize their collective dimensions for maximizing ore recovery through empirical factor of safety (FoS) analysis, finite element method (FEM) and ore recovery analysis. A Cut and Fill stope in a selected Indian underground hard rock mine with 6 m*6 m post pillars and 13 m wide room combination was found most favorable for maximum ore recovery maintaining utmost structural safety. The designed process may attract mine operators due to its operational simplicity and effectiveness. In broad sense, the optimization of ore recovery will also help to achieve sustainability goals.