Abstract

The mining industry is a major contributor to economic activity in Québec, creating more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs. However, though mining has becoming increasingly safer in recent years, the fatal accident rate for mining is still higher than for other industries in Québec.

Underground backfilling is common practice in the mining industry as a ground control measure to provide safer conditions for those who work under ground. Backfilling, however, requires construction of barricades in drift entrances to hold the fill in place. As recent events show, barricade failure poses an imminent threat to the health and safety of all who work in mines where underground backfilling is practiced. Recent studies demonstrate that a poor understanding of the loads exerted on barricades is the main cause of barricade failure.

The purpose of this project is to improve our knowledge of the interaction between backfill and containment structures (rock faces and barricades). The focus is on estimating pressure in backfilled stopes and drift entrances, the determinant element in barricade design.

The ultimate goal of the project is to provide the mining industry with a tool for designing safer and more reliable barricades.