Stress Monitoring in Potash Mines

Mining induced stress in the area around tunnel openings represents a major design consideration in today’s potash mines. The actual induced stress is currently monitored using an array of techniques derived from the hard rock mining industry, one of the key assumptions being linear-elastic deformation behaviour of the rock. When using these methods in an evaporite like potash, issues can arise with the accuracy of these assumptions. The purpose and objective of this research is to assess the accuracy of current standard practice for stress monitoring, and ultimately recommend test an improved procedure. Improved accuracy will lead to better stress models for mining activity in soft rocks, allowing for more proactive engineering controls to be implemented at lower cost than reactive methods.

Faculty Supervisor:

Douglas Milne;David Elwood

Student:

Latham Hamlin

Partner:

Nutrien

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program: