UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS

Week 1

1. The horizontal access driven below the ground from Shaft to the orebody or to an opening
which is parallel to the orebody is called _____
(A) drift
(B) cross-cut
(C) adit
(D) decline

Ans B -Refer to lecture no 5

2. Match the mining terms

[1] Adit
[2] Shaft
[3] Hangwall
[4] Footwall
[5] Orebody
[6] Cross cut
[7] Incline

(A) Q-4, S-2, T-6, U-5

(B) P-3, R-6, S-2, U-5
(C) P-3, R-1, S-2, U-5
(D) P-4, Q-3, T-1, U-7

Ans B-Refer to lecture 5 and 6

 3. The “Dancing Girl” of Mohenjo- Daro is made of _____
(A) Galena
(B) Chalcopyrite
(C) Wootz Steel
(D) Bronze

Ans D-Refer to lecture 1

4. Which statement is NOT CORRECT in the context of transportation system in accesses?

(A) Cage can be used for movement of personnel in Shaft
(B) Diesel locomotive can be used for material transport in incline
(C) Skip can be used for movement of personnel in incline
(D) Conveyor can be used for material transport in incline.

Ans B- Refer to lecture no 5

5. Match the metals and their ore -

P. Copper 1. Wolframite
Q. Iron ore 2. Pitch blend
R. Uranium 3. Siderite
S. Zinc 4. Sphalerite
T. Tungsten 5. Malachite

1. P-3, Q-2, S-4, T-1

2. P-2, Q-3, S-4, T-1
3. P-3, Q-5, R-2, T-1
4. P-5, Q-3, R-2, T-1

Ans 4-Refer to lecture 3

6. Except fuel mineral, sand and aggregate, the largest producing mineral in India is _____
A. Iron ore
B. Bauxite
C. Chromite
D. Limestone

Ans D-Refer to lecture 4

7. Which of the following is TRUE for mining of minor minerals?

[1] Minor minerals are the minerals declared by Director General of Mine Safety
[2] Lease of mining for minor mineral is given by State Government
[3] Royalty rates for minor minerals are fixed by Central Government
[4] Royalty for minor minerals are collected by State Government

(A) All of the above are True

(B) Only [1] and [3] are True
(C) Only [2] and [4] are True
(D) Only [1], [2] and [3] are True

ANS C-Refer to lecture 4

 8. Currently (2021) the deepest underground mine in the world is producing _____
(A) Gold ore
(B) Diamond ore
(C) Platinum ore
(D) Lithium ore

Ans A-Refer to lecture no 4

9. Which of the following is TRUE for rocks and minerals?

[1] Rocks are basically aggregate of minerals
[2] All the ores are mineral
[3] Soils can be formed from rock
[4] All the minerals are ore

(A) Only [1], [3] and [4] are True

(B) Only [1] and [3] are True
(C) Only [2] and [4] are True
(D) Only [1], [2] and [3] are True

Ans D-Refer to lecture 3

10. Narrow gold reefs observed in South Africa is basically

(A) Bedded deposit
(B) Massive deposit
(C) Vein Deposit
(D) Columnar deposit

Ans C-Refer to lecture no 5

 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 2
1. Vertical or near-vertical opening driven from the lower level to upper level mostly through
ore body is called _____
(A) decline
(B) level
(C) raise
(D) winze
Refer to lecture no 6

2. Identify the footwall and hanging wall from the below given picture.

(A) Normal fault with 1 – footwall, 2 – hangwall

(B) Normal fault with 1 – hangwall, 2 - footwall
(C) Reverse fault with 1 – hangwall, 2 – footwall
(D) Reverse fault with 1 – footwall, 2 – hangwall

Refer to lecture no 5 and 6

3. Calculate the overall grade of the ROM produced and hoisted from a Horizontal Cut and Fill
Stope as detailed below assuming 10% dilution:

In situ tons : 270000

In situ grade : 1.14 % Cu
Avg. grade of waste : 0.33 % Cu
Answer: 1.05 – 1.08 %

Solution: Total ROM from the stope = Ore+ Waste = 270000 × 1.10 = 297000 t
 (Waste = 270000 × 0.10 = 27000 t)

ROM grade = (270000 ×1 .14) + (27000 × 0.33)

297000
= 1.07 %

Ans- Self Explanatory

4. The CORRECT statement in respect of Cut-off grade is _____

(A) The minimum grade which can be mined and processed without economic loss.
(B) The maximum grade which can be mined and processed without economic loss.
(C) The maximum grade which can be mined and processed with maximum profit.
(D) The optimum grade which can be mined and processed with maximum profit.
Ans A-Refer to lecture no 7

5. Identify the WRONG statement from the below given geological relation.
(A) All ores are minerals, but all minerals are not necessarily ores.
(B) Minerals constitute a rock, and rocks are aggregate of minerals.
(C) Only igneous rocks are containing minerals and ores.
(D) Ores are concentrations of minerals in rock that are high enough to be economically
extracted for use.
Ans C- Refer to lecture no 3

6. Using the given data, find the copper content (in kg) in the copper concentrate after milling
for 100 tonne of ROM.
Run of mine grade : 0.55 % Cu
Mill recovery rate : 92 %
Answer: 506
Solution: in 100 ton of ROM, copper in ore
0.55
= 100 × 100 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒 = 550 𝑘𝑔
Copper in mill concentrate = 550 × 0.92 𝑘𝑔 = 506 𝑘𝑔
Ans- Self explanatory
7. In metallurgical processing of copper, the smelting process gives _______________.
(A) ROM copper
(B) Blister copper
(C) Copper Concentrate
(D) Pure copper
Ans B- Refer to lecture no 7

8. Using the given data, find the copper concentrate produced (in ton) from 100 ton of ROM.
Run of mine Grade : 1.20 % Cu
Mill recovery rate : 85%
Mill concentrate grade: 30% Cu
Answer: 3.40 ton
Solution: in 100 ton of ROM, copper content
1.20
= 100 × 100 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒 = 1200 𝑘𝑔
Copper in mill concentrate = 1200 × 0.85 𝑘𝑔 = 1020 𝑘𝑔
Mill concentrate produced
 = 1020 ÷ 0.3 = 3400 𝑘𝑔 = 3.40 ton

Ans- Self explanatory

9. Staple pit is ________

(A) A cross cut driven between drift and ore body
(B) A shaft driven between surface to underground
(C) A shaft driven between underground to underground of different levels
(D) A decline driven from surface to underground

Refer to lecture no 6

10. Estimate life (in years) of an underground mine with a mineable reserve of 200 Mt using
Long’s revised empirical equation. It is decided to exploit the mineral with Block Caving
method. Assume 350 working days in a year.

Answer: 18-20 years

Solution: Reserve (R) = 200 million tonnes = 200 × 106 = 2 × 108 tonnes

Tonnes per day (T) = 0.123 × R0.649

𝑅 𝑅(1−0.649) 𝑅0.351
Life (years) = = = = 19.04 = 19 years
350×𝑇 350×0.123 350×0.123

Ans- Refer to lecture no 2

 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 3
1. The shortest access opted to reach a deep seated deposit is ___
(A) Vertical Shaft
(B) Incline shaft
(C) Adit
(D) Decline

2. Find the recovery percentage for a room and pillar mining operation with evenly
distributed square pillar support from the data given below.

Room and pillar top view

Wp: width of pillar, Wo : Width of opening

Width of the square pillar :8m

Width of opening : 12 m
Answer: 84 %
(𝑊𝑝+𝑊𝑜)2 − (𝑊𝑝)2 202 −82 336
Solution: recovery percentage = (𝑊𝑝+𝑊𝑜)2
= 202
= 400
= 0.84 = 84 %

3. The possible transportation systems that can be adopted in Adit are:

[1] Chain conveyor

[2] Dump truck
[3] Skip
[4] Belt conveyor
[5] Locomotive Haulage

(A) Only [1], [2], [3] and [4] are right.

(B) Only [1], [4] and [5] are right.
(C) Only [1], [2], [4] and [5] are right.
(D) All are right

4. An underground copper mines produces 5500 ton per day ROM with 1.2 % copper
grade. Then, it is sent to a crusher and concentrator plant which uses froth floatation
 process with a metal recovery of 93 %. The concentrator produced as 30 % copper
grade.
Find the quantity of concentrate (in ton) produced per month. (Assume 25 working days
per month).

Answer: 5110 - 5120

1.2
Solution: Cu in ROM = 5500 × (100) × 25 = 1650 𝑡𝑜𝑛
Metal in concentrate = 1650 × 0.93 = 1534.5 𝑡𝑜𝑛
So, the quantity of concentrate produced per month with 30% Cu = 1534.5/0.30 = 5115
ton

5. A horizontal or near horizontal access between surface to underground is _________.

(A) Shaft
(B) Adit
(C) Incline
(D) Staple pit

6. Excavation of an adit through drilling, blasting, loading and transportation is classified as

______________ .
(A) Discrete method of excavation
(B) Semi – Continuous method of excavation
(C) Continuous method of excavation
(D) Rapid excavation techniques

7. An incline shaft is constructed at an angle 30 degree with horizontal. The winding system
of the incline is fitted with two 10 ton skips where one acts as the counter weight of
another. The skip is loaded at 100 m depth from surface through an ore bin. Then,
determine the length of incline (in m)

Answer: 200
100 100
Solution: The length of the incline is = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 30 = 0.5
= 200𝑚

8. An incline shaft is constructed at an angle 30 degree with horizontal. The winding system
of the incline is fitted with two 10 ton skips where one acts as the counter weight of
another. The skip is loaded at 100 m depth from surface through an ore bin. If the skip
runs with an acceleration/ deceleration of 1 m/s2 and the maximum constant speed of
10 m/s. Then, determine the total travel time of the skip (in second) for transferring 10
tonne of material.

Answer: 30
100 100
Solution: The length of the incline is = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 30 = 0.5
= 200 𝑚
 Acceleration time =
V = u + at
So, 10 = 0 + 1t
t = 10 s
Deceleration time = 10 s
Length of acceleration = 50 m and length of deceleration = 50 m
S = ut + ½ at2
Or, S = 0 + ½ × 1 × 102
Hence, S = 50 m
Length travelled at constant speed = 200 – 100 = 100 m
Time taken for travelling 100m at constant speed 0f 10m/s is (100 / 10) = 10 s
So, total travel time = acceleration time + constant speed time + deceleration time = 10 + 10
+ 10 = 30 seconds

9. Size of a vertical shaft depends on

[1] The size of the skip

[2] The size of the cage
[3] Ventilation requirement
[4] Grade of the ore
[5] Density of the rock

(A) Only [1] and [2] are right.

(B) Only [1], [2], [4] and [5] are right.
(C) Only [1], [2], and [3] are right.
(D) All are right

10. The shape of an adit DOES NOT depend on _______

(A) Depth of cover
(B) Grade of the ore
(C) Strength of the rock
(D) Density of the rock
 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 4
1. Choose the CORRECT statement from the list below.
(A) In shaft boring system chemicals are used to excavate the shaft.
(B) Road header is a full face drilling system.
(C) Earth pressure balancing technique is used in weak and soft rock condition.
(D) Shafts are constructed only through drilling and blasting technique.

2. A general term used for a horizontal roadway, heading, or tunnel in course of

construction is ________.
(A) Drivage
(B) Shaft
(C) Collar
(D) Pit

3. The mouth of an Incline is called _________________.

(A) Collar
(B) Portal
(C) Casing
(D) Holder

4. The underground transportation machine “LHD” stands for _______.

(A) Low height dumper
(B) Load haul dumper
(C) Light hauling dumper
(D) Low profile hauling dumper

5. Which one of the below is NOT a transportation system?

(A) Shuttle car
(B) LPDT
(C) Mine car
(D) Road header

6. What is the purpose of “walling scaffold” in shaft sinking process?

(A) It is one kind of platform, which is used for the construction of brick wall of the shaft
side.
(B) It is one kind of shutters used to arrest material fall during shaft sinking.
(C) It is the temporary lining of the shaft sides.
(D) It is the collar of the shaft.
7. Statements on Shaft construction are -

[1] Cementation sinking method is used for weak and watery rock medium.
[2] Grab is a common loading equipment used in shaft sinking.
[3] Freezing method is a very common method of shaft sinking.
[4] Blasting cannot be adopted for sinking shaft due to accumulation of water.

(A) Only [1], [2] and [3] are right.

(B) Only [2] and [3] are right.
(C) Only [2] and [4] are right.
(D) Only [1] and [2] are right.

8. The figure shown below is an underground blasting face showing position of different
types of blast holes. A list is also provided according to blasting terminology. Match the
correct combination from the given options.

Terminology
1. Stoping hole
2. Lifter hole
3. Cut spreader hole
4. Cut holes
5. Wall contour holes

(A) P – 1, Q –3, R – 4, S – 5, U – 2
(B) P – 4, Q – 3, R – 2, S – 5, U – 1
(C) P – 3, Q – 2, R – 4, S – 5, U – 1
(D) P – 4, Q – 3, R – 1, S – 5, U – 2

9. In a 4.8 m wide and 3.6 m high underground tunnel, 20 shot holes are blasted per round.
The holes are charged with 4 explosive cartridges of 435 g each. If the powder factor of
the blast is 2.5 tonne/kg and specific gravity of the blasted material is 2, the pull per
round of blast in m is ___________.

Answer: 2.4 – 2.6

Solution: Let the pull per round in meter be p
Volume excavated = 4.8×3.6×p
Total quantity blasted (Ton) = 4.8×3.6×p×2 = 34.56p
 Explosives required = 34.56p/2.5
Total explosives used (kg)= 20×4×0.435 = 34.80
Hence 34.56p/2.5 = 34.8
Or p = (34.8×2.5)/34.56 = 2.52 m

10. Match the following with their correct name.

P – Load haul dumper
Q – Shaft boring machine
R – Drill Jumbo
S – Tunnel boring machine
1

(A) P – 2, Q – 1, R – 3, S – 4
(B) P – 4, Q – 1, R – 3, S – 2
(C) P – 2, Q – 3, R – 1, S – 4
(D) P – 4, Q – 3, R – 1, S – 2
 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 5

1. A mine has to drive a load vein of strike length 1.2 km, width of 5 m with a road header.
The average production capacity of the road header is 25 m3/hr with an average utilised
monthly cutting hour of 250. The planned largest machine required an excavation height
of 3.5m. The time required to complete the drive development work of the level (in
months) is ______ .

Answer: 3 - 4
Explanation: The length of the strike is 1.2 km, width is 5 m. The face height is 3.5 m.
The volume of excavation is = 1200 × 5 × 3.5 = 21000 m3
Time required to complete = 21000/25 = 840 hr = 3.36 months

2. A vertical or near vertical opening driven from the lower level to upper level mostly
through the orebody is called ___________.
(A) Raise
(B) Winze
(C) Shaft
(D) Both (A) and (B)

3. Which one of the below is NOT a Rasing method?

(A) Raising with Jora raise lift
(B) Drop raising
(C) Raising with Cactus grab.
(D) Raising with Alimak Raise Climber.

4. The Raising method taking longest time to complete the raise construction is ____
(A) Raising with Two or three compartments method.
(B) Raising with Alimak Raise Climber.
(C) Raising with Raise borers
(D) Raising with Jora raise lift
5. The transportation system given in the Figure is __________.

(A) Load haul dump

(B) Side discharge loader
(C) Mine tub
(D) Shuttle car

6. Identify the Rasing method from the figure given below.

(A) Two or three compartments raising.

(B) Raising with Alimak Raise Climber.
(C) Raise borers
(D) Raising with Jora raise lift
7. The strike and dip direction of an ore body is given in the figure below. The dipping
direction of this ore body is towards _______________.

(A) North
(B) North-east
(C) East
(D) South-west

8. A road header is cutting a face of height 3 m and width of 5 m. The deployed road
header has an average production capacity of 24 m3/hr with an average utilised monthly
cutting hour of 200 hr. The monthly progress of development length (in m) is _____.

Answer: 319 - 321

Explanation: face height = 3.0 m

Width = 5 m
Length cut = l m
So, length cut per hour = 24/(3.0 × 5) = 1.6 m
So, length cut per month = 1.6 × 200 = 320 m

9. The drilling and blasting method are utilized to develop an underground face. The height
and width of the face are 3.5 m and 5 m respectively. The head advance per blast is 1.5
m. The specific gravity of the material is 4.2. So, find out the ton of material blasted per
blast.

Answer: 108 - 112

Explanation: face height = 3.5 m

Width = 5 m
Head advance per blast is 1.5 m
Specific gravity is 4.2
So, material blasted per blast is = 3.5 × 5 × 1.5 × 4.2 = 110.25 ton
10. State the name of the gear mechanism given in this figure.

(A) Spur gears

(B) Helical gears
(C) Rack and pinion gears
(D) Internal-Annual gears
 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 6
1) Identify the given fields from Laubscher’s classification of cavability

1. a- Marginal caving, b- Open stoping, c-Easy caving, d- Ready caving

2. a- Open stoping, b- Marginal caving, c- Ready caving, d- Easy caving
3. a- Easy caving, b- Marginal caving, c- Open stoping, d- Ready caving
4. a- Ready caving, b- Open stoping, c- Marginal caving, d- Easy caving

2) The length of consecutive cores obtained from a 2m section of a borehole (NX size) are 88,
37,15, 175, 254, 279, 173, 70,300, 103, 155,151 and 103 mm. The RQD value of the rock in that
section is:

Answer: 83-86%

Solution:

169.3/200 x 100= 84.65%

3) The term Jr/Ja in the following expression represents:

a. Roughness and frictional characteristics of the joint walls

b. Joint set number and water reduction factor
c. Number of joints per unit area
d. An empirical factor describing the active stress
4. The measurements of a site investigation are as follows:

Jn=9, Jr=1.5, Ja=2.0, Jw= 1.0, SRF (Stress Reduction Factor) = 2.5. The RQD values taken from five
boreholes of the area are 94.2, 95.6, 99.4, 95.3 and 98.0 respectively. The rock tunnelling quality index
(Q) is:

a. 3.28
b. 5.60
c. 10.14
d. 20.10

Solution:

RQD= (94.2+95.6+99.4+95.3+98)/5= 96.5

Putting the given values in the equation above we get
Q = 3.28

5. The grade at which the mineral resource can no longer be processed at profit is known as:
a. Cut-off grade
b. Break-even grade
c. Liquidation grade
d. Average grade

6. Which of the following classification system is quantitative and determines feasible mining methods
by numerical ranking
a. Boskov and Wright
b. Hartman
c. Nicholas
d. Morrison
7. Following Boshkov and Wright classification system, choose the appropriate mining method for given
parameters:
Ore body: Thick
Dip: Flat
Strength of ore and walls: Strong

a. Top slicing
b. Sublevel caving
c. Room and pillar
d. Resuing

8. Which of the following method falls under unsupported method of Stoping

a. Cut and fill stoping
b. Sublevel caving
c. Sublevel stoping
d. Stull stoping

9. The ratio of the area to the perimeter of an undercut is known as -

a. Poison’s Ratio
b. Hydraulic radius
c. Cavability Index
d. Match Factor

10. The rock properties of an underground drift and the specifications of the proposed roadheader to be
deployed are given below –

UCS = 110 MPa.

BTS = 10 MPa.
Weight of Road-header (W) = 80 tonne
Power of Road-header (P) = 400 kW.
Determine the instantaneous cutting rate (ICR) of road-header as per Copur et al, 1997.

Answer: 52 – 54 m3/hr

Solution:
Road-header penetration index (RPI) = P*W/UCS = 290.90

Instantaneous cutting rate (ICR) =27.511*exp(0.0023*RPI) = 53.71

 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 7

1. Amongst the following pillars, the horizontal part of orebody left between stope roof and
upper level drive is called
a) Sill pillar
b) Rib pillar
c) Crown pillar
d) None of the above

Ans: c

2. Inverted V approach is a method of progressing used in

a) Stope and pillar
b) Shrinkage
c) Breast stoping
d) Square set
Ans: a
3. Uncharged hole(s) in a drive blasting face helps in providing:
a. Free face to other holes
b. For better alignment
c. To avoid fly rocks
d. None of the above

Ans: a
4. The funnel method in stope and pillar working uses:
a) Top down method
b) Bottom up method
c) Both (a) and (b)
d) None of the above
Ans: a
5. Match the following from the information provided in the figure:

Column A Column B
P 1.Stope drive
Q 2.Drill holes
R 3.Rib pillar
S 4.Crown pillar
T 5.Sill pillar

(a) P-1, Q-3, R-5, S-2, T-4

(b) P-4, Q-3, R-5, S-2, T-1
(c) P-3, Q-4, R-1, S-5, T-2
(d) P-2, Q-3, R-1, S-5, T-4

Ans: c

6. Read the statements mentioned below in context of quantity of material to be collected in

Grab sampling depends on:

Statement 1. Diameter of the largest particle in the sample

Statement 2. Homogeneity of the mineral
After reading the above statements, select the correct option(s) given below.

a) Only Statement 1 is correct

b) Only Statement 2 is correct
c) None of the statements are correct
d) Both, Statement 1 & Statement 2 are correct
Ans: d
7. Muck or broken rock sampling is also known as
a) Grab sampling
b) Chip sampling
c) Channel sampling
d) Chip-Channel sampling
Ans: a

8. Chock mats support is used in which of the following method

a) Breast stoping
b) Block caving
c) Shrinkage stoping
d) Sublevel stoping

Ans: a

9. In an underground mine, a sampling is carried out by using Grab Sampling Method. The diameter
of the largest particle in the sample is 8 cm and the uniformity of the ore from which the samples
are collected is non homogeneous sample (k=0.1). Calculate the reliable weight(kg) of the
worked down (also initial) sample.

Ans: (638-642)
Solution: We know that, the sample size is governed by the Richards Chechette formula
Q= 𝒌𝒅𝟐
where,
Q= the reliable weight of the worked down (also initial) sample in kg
d= the diameter of the largest particle in the sample in mm
k= a factor depending on the homogeneity of the mineral
Given that,
d = 8 cm = 80 mm
k = 0.10 (i.e., for non-homogeneous)
Q= 𝒌𝒅𝟐
𝑄= 0.10×802
= 640 kg
10. Three groove samples cut at every 4th blast in a Breast stope have 10 mm depth and 30 mm width
each. The length of the samples L1, L2, L3 are 70cm, 87cm and 95 cm respectively. The samples
copper assay value A1, A2 and A3 are 1.03%, 1.22% and 0.92% respectively. Calculate the
average grade of the samples. (round up to 2 decimal places)
Ans: 1.30 to 1.40%

Solution: It is given in the problem that,

𝐿1 = 70 𝑐𝑚;
𝐿2 = 87𝑐𝑚;
𝐿3 = 95𝑐𝑚;
𝐴1=1.03%;
𝐴2=1.22%;
𝐴3=0.92%;
𝑊1=𝑊2 𝑊3= 3 cm;
𝐷1 =𝐷2 =𝐷3=1cm
So, using the formula of Average grade,
(L1 ×W1 ×D1 ×A1 )+(L2 ×W2 ×D2 ×A2 )++(L3 ×W3 ×D3 ×A3 )
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑒 = (𝐿1 ×𝑊1 ×𝐷1 )+(𝐿2 ×𝑊2 ×𝐷2 )++(𝐿3 ×𝑊3 ×𝐷3 )

(70×3×1×1.03 ) +(87×3×1×1.22) + (95×3×1×0.92)

= (70×3×1)+(87×3×1)+(95×3×1)

= 1.37%
 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 8
1. Which of the following statements is/are true with respect to blasting in Room and Pillar
method of mining?
p. Slabbing is used once more than one free face is available
q. Swing round is taken when only one free face exists
r. Entire width of the orebody is always blasted in one round
s. Slabbing is more productive than Swing blasting

Options:
(A) Statements p, q and r are correct.
(B) Statements p, q and s are correct.
(C) Only statement 2 and 4 are correct.
(D) All statements are correct

2. In Room and Pillar Mining, partial extraction of pillar is______________:

a. also known as Robbing
b. also known as depillaring
c. done when the pillar starts failing
d. carried out to induce caving

3. The figure given below is showing a top view of a room and pillar method of mining,
where width of pillar is 5 m and width of opening is 10 m. Find the tributary area (m2)
from the given room and pillar mining operation.

Fig: top view of a Room and pillar method of mining

Answer: 198-202
Solution: Width of the square pillar (Wp )= 5 m
Width of opening (Wo)= 10 m
Tributary area =(𝑊𝑝 + 𝑊𝑜)2 − (𝑊𝑝)2
 = (10 + 5)2 − 52
= 200 m2

4. Which among the following statements is/are true with respect to fretting/necking of
pillar?
a. This type of failure occurs across the planes of weakness
b. It is also known as shear failure
c. It occurs in massive rock with moderately strong H/W, F/W, and ore body.
d. The failure is due to tensile stress concentration.

Options:
(A) Statements a, b and c are correct.
(B) Statements a, b and d are correct.
(C) Only statement c and d are correct.
(D) All statements are correct.

5. Which of the following statements is/are true with respect to cascading pillar failure:
Statements:
a. Once the cascading pillar failure has initiated, it becomes self-propagating.
b. Very large mining areas can collapse within seconds without prior warning.
c. One pillar fails suddenly overstressing neighbouring pillars causing them to fail in
rapid successions.
d. These are planned and designed so as to fail randomly.

Options:
(P) Statements a, b and c are correct.
(Q) Only statements a, and c are correct.
(R) Only statement c and d are correct.
(S) All statements are correct.

6. The average vertical stress in a pillar in room and pillar working is found to be 11 MPa.
The depth of working and the average density of overlying rock are 120 m and 2500
kg/m3 respectively. Assuming pillar stress to be the same in all pillars of that panel, the
extraction ratio in percentage is_________. (round off to 2 decimal places)

Ans: 73.00 – 74.00 %

Explanation: Load on pillar (mean pillar stress), P = γ × d× 1/(1-R)
 Where, γ is unit weight of overlying rock = 2500 kg/m3
d is the depth of working = 120 m
R is extraction ratio = ?
Load on pillar (mean pillar stress), P = γ × d× 1/(1-R)
Therefore, R= 1- ((γ ×d)/P) ×100

R= [1- (2500×9.81×120)/ (11×106)] ×100

= 73.24%

7. A room and pillar stope at 110 m depth has overlying rock density of 2600 kg/m3. For
square pillar of size 30 m from center to center, height 3 m and for a room width of 16 m,
the mean pillar stress in Mpa is _______________(round off to 2 decimal places)

Ans- 12.00-13.00 Mpa

Explanation: Load on pillar (mean pillar stress), P = γ × d× 1/(1-R)

Where, γ is unit weight of overlying rock
d is the depth of working
R is extraction ratio

P= (2600*9.81*110)/1-R …………..(1)

R= 1- a2/(a+b)2
Where, a is the width of pillar
b is width of gallery

R= 1- (142/302) = 0.7822 or 78.22 %

Putting the value of R in equation 1

P = 12.88 Mpa

8. A 2.5 m thick horizontal orebody is located at a depth of 90 m, with the rock cover
having a unit weight of 27 kNm−3. An initial mining layout is based on 7.0 m room spans
and 5.0 m square pillars, with the full orebody thickness of 2.5 m being mined. What is
the factor of safety for the pillar? (round off to 2 decimal places)
 Ans: 0.50 - 0.60
Explanation:
The tributary area analysis of this prospective layout is as follows:
(a) Pre-mining stress

Pzz = 90 ×27 kPa

= 2.43 MPa

(b) Average axial pillar stress

𝛔p = 2.43 ×[(7.0 + 5.0)/5.0] 2 MPa

= 13.99 MPa
(c) Pillar strength

S = 7.18 ×2.5−0.66×5.00.46 MPa

= 8.22 MPa

Factor of safety: 8.22/13.99

= 0.5872

9. Which of the following conditions are not suitable for Shrinkage stoping?

a. Ore body is steeply dipping

b. Ore body is flat and tabular
c. Host rock is very weak and easily caves
d. There are abundant clay minerals in the orebody

(P) a, b and c
(Q) a and c
(R) b, c and d
(S) b & d

10. Which of the following statements are true for Shrinkage stoping?

Statements:
a) Broken rock is used as working platform
b) Mill tailings are used for levelling the work place in stopes
c) Ore draw from the stope is largely dictated by swell after blasting
d) Shrinkage stoping is an underhand stoping method

Options:
(P) Statements a, b and c are correct
(Q) Only statements c and d correct
(R) Only statements a, and c are correct
(S) All statements are correct
 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 9

1. Raise connection between two consecutive levels in cut and fill mining is usually spaced at
(a) 20-30m
(b) 30-40m
(c) 40-50m
(d) 50-80m

2. In a cut and fill stope, the main purpose of back filling is to

(a) reduce ore dilution
(b) avoid rock bolting
(c) create working platform and provide support to hangwall
(d) utilisation of mill waste

3. In case of Chalcopyrite, the effective liberation size (separation of value mineral from waste)
usually is,
(a) 40 
(b) 50 
(c) 75 
(d) 200 

4. Post Pillar method of mining is a variation of:

(a) Room and Pillar
(b) Stope and Pillar
(c) Shrinkage stoping
(d) Cut and fill stoping

5. What protection should one have while charging ANFO in stoping holes with compressed air
through pipes?
(a) Protection from fire due to diesel content
(b) Anti-static protection
(c) Anti magnetic protection
(d) None of the above

6. To separate Chalcopyrite mineral from gangue, common beneficiation process adopted is:
(a) Froth floatation
(b) Jigging
(c) Washing
(d) None of the above

7. In cut and fill stoping, the water content in slurry (tailing and water mixture) is
(a) 5-10%
(b) 10-20%
(c) 20-30%
(d) 30-40%
8. A void of 1700 m3 was formed during production of 5300 ton of copper ore in a stoping
block. If the specific gravity of dry mill tailings used for backfilling the void is 2.6, then
calculate the quantity of surplus quantity of tailing (in tons) that would remain after filling
the same void. (neglect quantity of concentrate produced and assume dry conditions only)
Answer: 880
Solution: Tailings required for filling of 1700 m3 void = 1700 × 2.6 = 4420 ton
Surplus tailings = 5300 - 4420 = 880 ton

9. A cylindrical fill-material sample has the following measurements

Length = 75 mm
Diameter = 37 mm
Weight = 170 g
Assuming the sample to be completely dry, and the s.g. of the solid grains is 2.6, estimate the
void ratio of the sample in percentage. (round off to two decimal places)
Ans: 23.00 – 24.00 %
Solution:
Volume of solid= 170/2.6 = 65.38ml

Total volume of the sample= (πd2l/4) = (3.14×3.72 × 7.5)/4 = 80.599 ml

Hence the volume of voids = 80.599 – 65.38 = 15.219

Void ratio (e) = 15.219/65.38 = 0.2327= 23.27%

10. Which of the following supports are used in post pillar method of stoping?
(a) Only Pillars
(b) Only rock bolts and cable bolts
(c) Fill materials
(d) All of the above
 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 10

1. Which of the following is true with respect to Grouted rock bolts:

A. Cement or raisins are used as grouting agents.
B. The rebar or threaded bar with cement grout can only be used for
tensioned bolts.
C. Resin grouted bolts provides high load-bearing capacity than the
Cement grouted bolts.
D. Raisins take more setting time compared to cement.
Options:
a) Statements A, B and C are correct.
b) Only Statements B and D are correct.
c) Only Statements A and C are correct.
d) Only Statements C and D are correct.
Answer: (c)
Solution: Refer to slide no 9 lecture 46

2. Determine the weight of rock to be supported by a single bolt in (ton) from the data provided
below:
Factor of safety(f) = 1.7,
Bolt spacing perpendicular to the axis of excavation (s) = 1.2 m ,
Bolt spacing along the axis of excavation (c )= 1.2 m,
Thickness of unstable layer of rock (h)= 0.8 m and
rock density(γ ) = 3000 (kg/m3).
Answer- 5.8- 5.9 tonne

Solution: we know that: W=f ×s ×c ×h ×γ

where W is weight of rock to be supported by a single bolt in (ton)
f is the Factor of safety ,
s is the Bolt spacing perpendicular to the axis of excavation,
c is the Bolt spacing along the axis of excavation,
h is the thickness of unstable layer of rock,
γ is the rock density i.e 3 ton/m3

W = 1.7×1.2×1.2×0.8×3 = 5.875 tonn

Refer to slide 12 lecture 47

3. Match the Column A- Types of anchor, with Column B-Suitable strata type:
A-Types of anchor B-Suitable strata type
P Slot and wedge 1 Medium hard rock
Q Expansion shell 2 All strata

R Resin grout 3 Hard rock

S Quick setting cement cartridge 4 All strata especially for
weak rock

a) P-2, Q-1, R-3, S-4

b) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2
c) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4
d) P-1, Q-2, R-4, S-3
Answer: b
Solution: Refer to slide no 18, lecture 46.

4. A 4m wide and 20 m long roadway is supported by point anchored bolts in a square bolting
pattern with spacing 1 m. if the point of anchorage is 1.5m above the exposed roof, average
density of roof rock is 2548.4 kg/m3, the load per bolt in kN is:
Ans: 37-38 kN

1
Solution: Total weight supported per bolt= (1×1×1.5)×(2548.4 × 9.81) × 1000 = 37.49 kN

5. Which of the following methods uses two different plastic tubes for installation of cable
bolts?
(a) Grout and insert method
(b) Grout tube installation method
(c) Retracted grout tube installation method
(d) Breather tube installation method
Answer: d
6. Which of the following cable bolting methods leaves the grout tube extended to the far end of
the hole after grouting?
(a) Grout and insert method
(b) Grout tube installation method
(c) Retracted grout tube installation method
(d) Breather tube installation method
Answer: b
7. In sublevel stoping operation the draw system is generally:
a) Cross drift
b) Draw point
c) Finger raise and chute
d) None of the above
Answer: b
Refer slide 18 lecture 46

8. Which among the following belongs to the class of friction anchored rock bolts:
a) Slot and wedge
b) Expansion shells
c) Swellex
d) All of the above
Answer: c
Refer to lecture 46 slide 10
9. Which of the following drilling machines is widely used for production in Longhole blasting
stopes ?
a. Jack hammer
b. In the hole (ITH)
c. Rotary drilling
d. Cable bolting drill machines
Answer- b
10. In sublevel stopes additional support can be provided by installing cable bolts from
a. Sublevels towards the footwall
b. Draw levels
c. Cable bolt drift in the hanging wall
d. Cable bolt drift in the footwall
Answer- c
Refer to Lecture 49 Slide 21
 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 11
1. Resuing method of stoping is applicable where:
a. The vein is preferably flat.
b. The vein is steep.
c. There is a well-defined plane of weakness along host rock contacts.
d. The vein is valuable enough to pay for unprofitable work of blasting down barren
wall.
Options:
a) Statements a, c and d are correct.
b) Statements b, c and d are correct.
c) Only Statements A and C are correct.
d) Only Statements C and D are correct.
Answer: (b)
Solution: Refer to slide no 19 lecture 51
2. The blasting pattern used in Resuing method of stoping is:
a. Burn cut
b. Wedge cut
c. Fan cut
d. Drag cut
Options:
a) a, c and d are correct.
b) b, c and d are correct.
c) a and b are correct.
d) a and d are correct
Answer: (c)
Solution: Refer to slide no 13 lecture 51
3. For alternate mining of primary and secondary stopes, which type of backfill is used in VCR
stoping?
a. Cemented paste backfill
b. Mill tailings as slurry
c. Fly ash as slurry
d. Waste rock boulders
Answer: (a)
Solution: Refer to slide no 17 lecture 54
4. Longhole drilling with crater blasting is used for the construction of :
a. Long drifts
b. Inclined shafts
c. Decline
d. Drop Raise
Answer – (d)

5. For a 205 mm diameter spherical charge in VCR mining, the maximum allowable charge
length in cm is:
Answer- 123
Solution:
For a spherical charge its length-to-diameter ratio does not exceed 6 to 1.
L/D < 6
L/20.5< 6
L< 123 cm

Refer to slide 12 lecture 53

6. For VCR method of stoping the dip of the orebody should be :

a. < 30˚
b. 30˚ - 45˚
c. >70˚
d. None of the above
Refer to slide 5 lecture 54
7. Which among the following is/are true for VCR mining method:
a. VCR is a selective mining method.
b. VCR mining is suitable for steeply dipping ore deposits.
c. Blasting sequence is from undercut to drill level
d. Weak ore deposits can be mined successfully by VCR method.
Options:
a) a, b and c are correct
b) b, c and d are correct
c) a and b are correct
d) b and c are correct
Answer: (d)
Solution: Refer to slide no 6 and 12 of lecture 54
8. A narrow vein type steeply dipping ore deposit occurs as a distinct band and can be separated
easily from the host wall rocks. The most suitable mining method for this deposit
is______________.
a) Room and pillar
b) Drift and fill
c) Resuing or stripping
d) Sublevel caving
Answer: (c)

9. Depending on the decreasing ability of surrounding rock to store strain energy, the
underground metal mining methods can be ordered as
(a) cut and fill, block caving, sublevel caving, sublevel open stoping,
(b) sublevel open stoping, cut and fill, sublevel caving, block caving
(c) block caving, sublevel open stoping, cut and fill, sublevel caving
(d) sublevel caving, sublevel open stoping, cut and fill, block caving
Answer: (b)

10. Which of the following is wrong in the context of Sublevel Caving method?

a) Mining progresses downwards

b) Recovery can be as high as 80%
c) Drilling and blasting is not required
d) An unsupported method of stoping
Answer: (c)
Solution: Refer to slide no 4 and 6 of lecture 55
 UNDERGROUND MINING OF METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
Week 12
1. The dilution in sublevel caving is about:
a. 10-35 %
b. > 40%
c. <10 %
d. <5 %
Answer- a
Refer to slide 18 lecture 56
2. From the given subsidence profile of Sublevel Caving method of mining, identify zones a, b, c,
and d.

Zones:
1) Subsidence zone
2) Tension cracks
3) Active cave zone
4) Crater zone

Options:
A. 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a
B. 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
 C. 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a
D. 1-a, 2-c, 3-d, 4-b
Answer- c
Refer to slide 15 lecture 56
3. Choose the correct option with respect to Sublevel caving:
a. Transverse sublevel caving is generally applied in thick ore bodies with width greater than 50
m.
b. Longitudinal sublevel caving is applied to ore bodies with widths below 50 m.
c. The production drifts in Longitudinal sublevel caving are generally driven along the strike of
the ore body.
d. The transverse layout is generally more productive than the longitudinal.

Options:
a) Statements a, b and c are correct.
b) Statements a, b and d are correct.
c) Only Statements a and b are correct.
d) All the statements are correct.
Answer: (d)
Solution: Refer to slide no 6 and 7 lecture 56
4. Match column A with column B:

A B
P Reportable Injury 1 An injury which results in the enforced absence for a
period exceeding 24 hours (but less than 72 hours)
Q Minor Injury 2 Any injury other than a serious bodily injury which
involves the enforced absence of the injured person
from work for a period of 72 hours or more.
R Serious bodily injury 3 Results in more than 10 deaths
S Disaster 4 Any injury which involves, or in all probability will
involve, the permanent loss of any part or section of a
body or the use of any part or section of a body, or the
permanent loss of or injury to the sight or hearing or
any permanent physical incapacity or the fracture of
any bone or one or more joints or bones of any
phalanges of hand or foot.

Options:
a) P-2, Q-1, R-4, S-3
b) P-1, Q-2, R-3, S-4
c) P-1, Q-2, R-4, S-3
d) P-2, Q-1, R-3, S-4
Answer- a
Refer to slide 2 lecture 59
 5. High production rates coupled with large scale and extensive subsidence results from the method
of
a. Top slicing
b. Block caving
c. Post pillar cut and fill stoping
d. VCR mining
Answer- b
Refer to slide 17 lecture 57

Answer question no 6, 7 and 8 based on the following data: (round up to 3 decimal places)
No of workers per shift = 340
No of hours worked per shift = 8
No of shift = 3
Number of days worked = 310
No of accident = 22
No. of man-days lost = 18

6. Calculate Severity rate of the mine:

Answer- 7.1- 7.2

Solution: Average Man-hours worked =Number of workers per shift ×Hours worked per
shift×No of shifts in a day ×Number of days worked in a year = 340 ×8 ×3×310 = 2529600
6
Severity Rate (S) = (No. of mandays lost ×10 )
(Man hours worked)
18× 106
= 2529600
= 7.116
Refer to slide 12 lecture 60
7. Calculate the Frequency Rate
Answer: 8.6-8.7

Solution:
6
Frequency Rate (S) = (No. of accidents ×10 )
(Man hours worked)
22× 106
=
2529600
= 8.697

8. Calculate the Injury index of the mine

Answer-0.06- 0.07

Solution: Injury Index (I.I.) = (F.R. ×S.R.)/1000

I.I.= (5.337*6.523)/1000 = 0.062
 9. Calculate the severity index for the year 2020 of mine A from the following data (round
up to 2 decimal places)
Mine Year Manshiftw No of No of
orked/ year fatality serious
injuries
Mine A 2017 76567 1 0
2018 123496 1 2
2019 185081 0 0
2020 189176 2 3

Answer-54 - 55
Solution:
105
Severity Index = (50𝐹 + 𝑆) × 𝑀𝑎𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑓𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑑
Where, F is the no of fatalities for the given year,
And S is the No. of serious injuries for the year.
105
S.I. = (50 × 2 + 3) × 189176
S.I. = 54.45

Refer to lecture 60 for question no 6 to 9

10.
(10.1) By using the scale given in the table calculate the risk rating (risk score) in
which a risk has consequence of significant chance of fatality with an unusual
but possible probability and where the workers are Frequently exposed to the
risk.

Answer- 4.5
Solution: Risk Rating = Consequence × Exposure × Probability
Risk Rating = 0.3 × 3 × 5 = 4.5
 (10.2) Based on the risk rating obtained choose the correct option below:
a. Immediate attention required
b. To be watched and reviewed
c. Management action required
d. All of the above
Answer- b

Refer to slide 15 lecture 60