Paste backfill bulkhead failures and pressure monitoring at Cayeli Mine

摘要

Paste backfill is an integral part of the mining method at the Cayeli Mine. Safe and efficient placement of paste fill requires a detailed understanding of paste fill characteristics from the production stage to the final fill exposures. Mobilization of uncured paste fill as a result of a bulkhead failure is a potential safety hazard and can lead to significant consequences, including endangerinn the safety of personnel, property damage, and prodi^uun iusses and delays. Since inception of paste filling operations in 1999, there have been three major bulkhead failure incidents at the Cayeli Mine. A detailed description of each of these incidents and their consequences has been provided in order to raise general awareness among backfill practitioners and mine operators about the potential risks associated with bulkhead failures.