Discrete analysis of open stope stability

The established (industry standard) practice to design stable stope spans in jointed rock is to use empirical methods. Experience at a number of open stoping operations has shown that empirical methods can produce unreliable and ambiguous results when applied to particular geological settings. A numerical modelling methodology has been developed and validated for a case study of hangingwall overbreak at a narrow vein open stoping operation. In this case, the methodology has proven successful in simulating the historical stope performance through the analysis of the actual stope geometry, stope wall orientations, extraction sequence, in situ stresses, discrete joint fabric and rock mechanical properties.