1
TITLE. The model of rock mass destruction in conditions of exploitation of cooper ore
deposit.
Józef Dubinski1 , Jan Drzewiecki
1
Prof. Dr., Central Mining Institute (GIG), Poland, 40-166 Katowice, Plac Gwarkow 1,
+48 32 2592600, +48 32 2596533, jdubinski@gig.eu
2
Prof. Dr., Central Mining Institute (GIG), Poland, 40-166 Katowice, Plac Gwarkow 1,
+48 32 2592323, jdrzewiecki@gig.eu
Abstract:
Underground mining exploitation of copper ore in the conditions of LGOM basin
generates a number of seismic event, which energy often exceeds 108 J. The number of
tremors and their localization show, that the area of rock mass involved in deformation and
destruction processes significantly exceeds area of mining operations. Location of seismic
foci of high energy tremors and after-shocks which accompany them, confirm that the area,
in which processes aiming to restore balance of rock mass occur in short time – extends to a
hundreds meters. Thus, an area of similar size should be considered in prognostic analyses of
position of tremor. It should be emphasized that such large part of rock mass has a level of
freedom resulting from the way of fixing and supporting its fragments keeping geometric
continuity.
This level is dependent on scale and time of exploitation, number and size of natural
disturbances and rock mass pressure, including gravitational pressure constricting the
individual fragments of rock mass in the area. It can be therefore assumed, that in real
conditions areas where mechanical strength of the layers may be exceeded, may be located in
a considerable distance from each other and do not necessarily coincide with the location of
workings area.
In this sense, rock mass influenced by mining exploitation is a rock mass, in which
simultaneously there are a number of its fragments with concentrated energy. The energy will
be released each time, when in these rock mass fragments the permissible destructive stresses
initiated by post-mining void is exceeded.
The paper presents a discussion on how to predicting the location of seismic activity areas
based on a change of position of seismic energy equivalent. This parameter is calculated for a
given set of seismic tremors with defined foci coordinates. For a given set of seismic tremors
the location of seismic energy equivalent may be a indication for the forecasting of
localization of high-energy seismic tremors.
2