Conference Proceedings
Underground Operators Conference Proceeding 2025
Conference Proceedings
Underground Operators Conference Proceeding 2025
Managing large open voids throughout the production cycle at Olympic Dam
Olympic Dam undertakes a sublevel open stoping (SLOS) mining method. Stopes range from single lift (30 m tall) to multi-lift (up to 260 m tall) with an average footprint of 30 m × 30 m. To meet production targets, Olympic Dam mine approximately 50 stopes per annum. The mining cycle of a stope (undercut firing to stope backfilling) creates large voids that need to be managed. Voids, if not managed appropriately, can pose a significant risk to workers due to the potential of failure or collapse including impacts to reliable production through access closures and increased scheduled activities. This paper describes the process of managing stope voids at Olympic Dam, including effective design and engineering, methods of void monitoring and use of Trigger Action Response Plans. These proactive applications ensure higher levels of controls are in place and ultimately reduce the risk to personnel and major unplanned changes to the mine schedule throughout a stope’s production cycle.
Contributor(s):
G Mungur, C Alberto and B Stevenson
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- Published: 2025
- Unique ID: P-04920-G4F3V6