Continued operation of Elkview Mine involves open pit extraction of coal reserves under Baldy Ridge in Southeast British Columbia, Canada. An existing tunnel crossing under Baldy Ridge is the only means of raw coal conveyance to the process plant, so it must be preserved and remain operational to support future mining. This paper describes the rehabilitation of the tunnel that was deemed necessary to support close proximity mining activities. A thorough geotechnical investigation and test blasting programs were conducted to support the design of remedial measures for the tunnel. Static and dynamic numerical models were developed to evaluate the impacts on the tunnel from the proposed future mining and eventual backfill over the tunnel with waste rock. The rehabilitation was designed to be constructed without disruption to the continuously operating coal conveyor that runs through the existing tunnel.
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