METHOD FOR MINING DIAMOND KIMBERLITE PIPES

摘要

FIELD: mining industry; methods for mining of solid mineral deposits; applicable in mining of diamond kimberlite pipes by deep-water dredging. SUBSTANCE: method for mining diamond kimberlite pipes includes formation of waterproof curtain beyond the contour of kimberlite pipe. Ore body is opened by pit, vertical concentric blocks are marked, tailings storage is prepared. Then, lowered into pit filled with water is dredge and suction-tube dredge, and deep-water dredging is conducted from top down by successive working of vertical concentric ore blocks from the center of dredge pit to its side with gradual lowering of mine working on the central ore column down to design depth, and periphery blocks are worked up to safety ore pillar which is left in zone of contact with enclosing rocks. Kimberlite pipe is worked by dredge and suction-tube dredge on which hydromining units are located according to technological pattern ensuring complete extraction of ore mass of the mined section of block and hydraulic cleaning of face. Final tailings of dredge are supplied to separately arranged tailings storage, and clarified water after pulp settling is returned for repeated use in the mode of closed circulation. To reduce volume of tailings storage, pulp of final tailings is preliminarily thickened and filtered. Filtrate is returned for repeated use, and thickened tailings are directed to tailings storage. Embodiment of the offered method allows proceeding within short period of time to date and efficient mining of primary diamond deposits under complicated geological and mining conditions with minor harmful effect on environment. The method is applicable in mining of diamond kimberlite pipes composed of blue ground of low and medium hardness and also large deep-seated (buried) placer deposits. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 4 cl, 5 dwg