Open Collections

Henriquez Inzulza, Daniela Constanza

University of British Columbia

Geotechnical characterization is a fundamental part of orebody knowledge. Traditional classification systems have been updated through the years and numerical models have been introduced to support engineers in gaining a better understanding and a more accurate prediction of mine deposit characteristics. However, current mining scenarios have pushed for a deeper comprehension of mine deposits, requiring more objective data to reduce uncertainty in the decision-making process. It has been observed that data collection programs present drawbacks affecting the representativity of the geotechnical data collected, to which predictive models and new digital tools have been presented as a solution. In this line, the novel Minpraxis tester (MPT), has been developed to expand the characterization by increasing the volume of data. The MPT is an instrumented roll crusher that can provide geotechnical information (IS50) while crushing exploration drill core samples that are prepared for metal assays. The purpose of this research is to propose a methodology to increase the spatial resolution of geotechnical characterization data using the novel MPT and some geological features. As part of the methodology, core logging techniques and traditional geotechnical tests, such as point load test (PLT) and uniaxial compressive strength test (UCS) are used. Also, a methodology to process the MPT results is developed to relate them to comparable geotechnical parameters. Results showed that the proposed methodology allows for relating the MPT responses to conventional geotechnical tests (PLT and UCS) at high levels of accuracy (±15%). Linear regression was found to provide models that are easy to implement and interpret. For a satisfactory application of the methodology, an accurate geological description was required to understand the MPT responses and to improve the geotechnical models. This research demonstrates that MPT provides the opportunity to improve geotechnical orebody knowledge. Unlike traditional tests, the MPT can increase the amount of characterization data while using samples that are not usually considered for collecting geotechnical data while capturing other sample characteristics (e.g., veins, texture fractures), reflecting on the rock hardness variability. The MPT can rapidly generate geotechnical data that can be easily correlated to standard geotechnical tests.

Text

2024-04-30

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/84260

Mining Engineering

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/