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=== Bulk mining methods {{anchor|Block Caving}} === *'''Block caving''' is used to mine massive steeply [[Strike and dip|dipping]] orebodies (typically low grade) with high [[friability]]. An undercut with haulage access is driven under the orebody, with "drawbells" excavated between the top of the haulage level and the bottom of the undercut. The drawbells serve as a place for caving rock to fall into. The orebody is drilled and blasted above the undercut, and the ore is removed via the haulage access. Due to the friability of the orebody the ore above the first blast caves and falls into the drawbells. As ore is removed from the drawbells the orebody caves in, providing a steady stream of ore.<ref name="Underground Drilling and Loading Handbook"/> If caving stops and removal of ore from the drawbells continues, a large void may form, resulting in the potential for a sudden and massive collapse and potentially catastrophic [[windblast]] throughout the mine.<ref>{{Cite web | first1 = J. C. W. | last1 = Fowler | first2 = B. K. | last2 = Hebblewhite | title = Mining publication | year = 2003 | location = New South Wales | url = http://www.mining.unsw.edu.au/Publications/publications_staff/Paper_Fowler_AGCM_2003.pdf | access-date = 2007-05-30 | archive-date = 2006-09-20 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060920043418/http://www.mining.unsw.edu.au/Publications/publications_staff/Paper_Fowler_AGCM_2003.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=Not verified on the website|date=February 2019}} Where caving does continue, the ground surface may collapse into a surface depression such as those at the [[Climax mine|Climax]] and [[Henderson molybdenum mine]]s in [[Colorado]]. Such a configuration is one of several to which miners apply the term "glory hole". Orebodies that do not cave readily are sometimes preconditioned by [[hydraulic fracturing]], blasting, or by a combination of both. Hydraulic fracturing has been applied to preconditioning strong roof rock over coal [[Longwall mining|longwall]] panels, and to inducing caving in both coal and hard rock mines. *'''[[Room and pillar]]''' : Room and pillar mining is commonly done in flat or gently dipping bedded ore bodies. Pillars are left in place in a regular pattern while the rooms are mined out. In many room and pillar mines, the pillars are taken out starting at the farthest point from the stope access, allowing the roof to collapse and fill in the stope. This allows for greater recovery as less ore is left behind in pillars. *'''[[Sublevel caving]]'''<ref>Sjöberg, J., F. Perman, D. Lope Álvarez, B-M. Stöckel, K. Mäkitaavola, E. Storvall and T. Lavoie. "Deep sublevel cave mining and surface influence", in: ''Deep Mining 2017: Eighth International Conference on Deep and High Stress Mining'' (Perth, March 28–30, 2018). Wesseloo, J. (ed.), pp. 357 –372. Perth: Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, ISBN 978-0-9924810-6-3, 2017.</ref> *'''[[Raise caving]]''' : This is a method designed for high-angle orebodies at depth where regional stresseses are high. In raise caving the rock masses are de-stressed by establishing slots parallel to the dip of the orebody.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Raise Caving—A Hybrid Mining Method Addressing Current Deep Cave Mining Challenges |journal=BHM Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte |last1=Ladinig |first1=Tobias |volume=167 |pages=177–186 |last2=Wagner |first2=Horst |last3=Karlsson |first3=Wimmer |last4=Grynienko |first4=Michal |year=2022|issue=4 |doi=10.1007/s00501-022-01217-3 |bibcode=2022BHM...167..177L |doi-access=free }}</ref> It is a new method under development by [[LKAB]] in [[northern Sweden]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=LKAB utvecklar ny brytningsmetod – så går metoden raise caving till |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/norrbotten/brytningsmetoden-raise-caving |date=2021-06-08 |access-date=2024-06-21 |work=[[Sveriges Television|SVT]] |language=Swedish}}</ref>
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