Papers by Draida Mikoloni
Lubambe copper mine is an underground operation with a thin orebody of width ranging between appr... more Lubambe copper mine is an underground operation with a thin orebody of width ranging between approximately 5-5.5m. Between May 2020 and 2021 the mine experienced a total of six sink holes which were all sudden without giving prior indication of subsidence. The mining subsidence has led to increased mining cost and cycle times due to the closure of 182 ml decline on the eastern limb and 175 ml truck route on the southern limb and disturbance on surface infrastructure. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the causes and effects of sinkholes on mining operations and surface infrastructure. Geotechnical empirical and numerical analysis of the ground, core logging, review of rock mass characterisation and evaluation of mining practices were undertaken. The mapping data was analysed using dips, Unwedge and RS3 software. It has been established that the east limb sinkholes were developed after a catastrophic failure at R3. 82 mL decline which affected a lateral stretch of appro...
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Papers by Draida Mikoloni