Understanding Secondary Fragmentation Characteristics in Cave Mining: A Simulation-Based Analysis of Impact and Compression-Induced Breakage

This study investigates the characteristics of secondary fragmentation and fines generation in cave mining through DEM simulations. The objective is not to develop a tool for accurately estimating fragmentation observed at drawpoints. Instead, the research focuses on an improved understanding of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yalin Li, Davide Elmo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Geosciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/4/140
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Summary:This study investigates the characteristics of secondary fragmentation and fines generation in cave mining through DEM simulations. The objective is not to develop a tool for accurately estimating fragmentation observed at drawpoints. Instead, the research focuses on an improved understanding of the impact of critical parameters (tensile strength, damping coefficients, and micro-defects) on secondary fragmentation characteristics. Attempting to predict outcomes without first comprehending the underlying mechanisms risks oversimplifying complex mine-scale conditions. The analysis shows that tensile failure is the dominant mechanism governing fragmentation. Size-distribution curves of fragmented blocks under impact breakage demonstrate a concave-up exponential relationship between percentage mass passing at 1/10th of the original size (<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>10</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>) and kinetic energy. Furthermore, the analysis of compression-induced breakage highlights the significant role of tensile strength and micro-defects in determining the extent of fragmentation under different conditions. By better understanding these underlying mechanisms, the research establishes a solid foundation for predicting fines generation and ultimately enhancing decision making and operational strategies in mining.
ISSN:2076-3263