Conference Proceedings
15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014
Conference Proceedings
15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014
Tunnel Boring Machine Usage Speeds up Development at Stillwater Mine
The application of tunnel boring machines (TBM) for reef mining is a unique practice with benefits over current mining methods given the right geology and geometry of the orebody. The Stillwater Mining Company (SMC) of Nye, Montana, USA operates two mines for obtaining platinum metals. The operation is currently using a 5.5 m diameter open-type machine for further mine development, as well as another TBM that they own.The latest 7.1 km bored tunnel, known as the Blitz Tunnel, will be routed parallel to the ore deposit in igneous mafic intrusive rock, and will be used for the life of the mine operation. It will be used to map the ore deposit, and provide a rail haulage route.Detecting the reef in relation to the TBM requires careful analysis. Diamond core drilling occurs ahead, above, and alongside the machine at every 150 m. The core is drilled, logged, and interpreted on the spot, concurrent with boring. Based on the data, the TBM is readjusted so that it stays on the correct bore path.This paper will highlight the application and benefits of TBM usage for reef mining, with detailed descriptions from the mine site.CITATION:Willis, D, Jacobs, C, Luxner, T and Shanahan, A, 2014._x000D_
Tunnel boring machine usage speeds up development at Stillwater Mine, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014 , pp 683-690 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).
Tunnel boring machine usage speeds up development at Stillwater Mine, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014 , pp 683-690 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).
Contributor(s):
D Willis, C Jacobs, T Luxner, A Shanahan
-
Tunnel Boring Machine Usage Speeds up Development at Stillwater MinePDFThis product is exclusive to Digital library subscription
-
Tunnel Boring Machine Usage Speeds up Development at Stillwater MinePDFNormal price $22.00Member price from $0.00
Fees above are GST inclusive
PD Hours
Approved activity
- Published: 2014
- PDF Size: 2.232 Mb.
- Unique ID: P201411077