OUTLOOK FOR APPLYING SELECTIVE MINING OF ORE BODIES WITH COMPLEX MORPHOLOGY AT URANIUM MINES IN UKRAINE

摘要

Analysis of used heading-and-stall methods of complex structural uranium ore deposits in Ukraine is performed taking into account ore losses and dilution. Reduction in cost price of mined metal at uranium mines is possible only on conditions that mine-run material bulk raised out of a mine should be decreased in amount; transportation and processing spendings are expected to be down in that way The aim put by is achieved by means of reducing ore dilution at mining up to sizes of order 15-20 percent. Implemented factor analysis revealed that the most acceptable mining methods providing selective mining of ore bodies with complex morphology at maximum ore dilution are: (1) slice upward mining method with backfilling mined-out space and (2) heading-and-stall downward mining method with sublevel breaking and front ore output followed by backfilling mined-out space. Taking into consideration research efforts carried out before, slice-mining method tested successfully at Ingulskaya mine of Vostochny Ore Mining and Processing Enterprise is recommended. It is able to reduce ore dilution up to minimally possible sizes for given ore body at existent cutoff grade of metal.