This workshop shall present a methodology to establish the geomechanical risk profile associated with an underground mining method and sequence based on numerical simulations.  

Geomechanical risks are evaluated from an operational point of view over the entire mine life. Analysis criteria are based on mining-induced stresses and plasticity states within the rock mass at different steps along the extraction sequence. Several aspects (i.e. types of risk) are evaluated: 
– Pre-mining conditions are evaluated for each stope (whether a stope is anticipated to be mined under high stress conditions or under residual conditions). 
– Rock mass conditions are also evaluated around each stope (if dilution is anticipated off the hanging wall, and/or if the stope excavation is likely to trigger an excessive energy release in the surrounding rock mass).  

An analysis methodology will be proposed in this workshop for each of the above aspects. Applied examples and live demonstrations will be presented in which planned mining sequences will be evaluated from a geomechanical perspective. Emphasis will be put on the anticipated operational challenges.