Effect of Mining Geometry on Natural Stress Field in Underground Ore Mining with Conventional and Nature-Like Technologies

The authors study the process of the induced stress field formation in mining with the conventional and nature-like geotechnical systems, including frame and honeycomb mine structures. The rate of change in the natural stress field during mining is estimated using a new index—coefficient of influence. Based on the data of experimental mine research, as well as physical and numerical models, with regard to the numerical model calibration, the diagram of influence exerted on the rate of change in the natural stress field by the geometry of stopes in underground ore mining with the conventional and naturelike geotechnologies is plotted. It is found that the highest effect on the size of the induced tensile strain zones is exerted by the mining systems with caving of ore and enclosing rocks. The optimum coefficient of influence is a characteristic of the frame mine structure.