Determination of the Backfilling Time for the Zinc and Lead Ore Deposits with Application of the BackfillCAD Model

Abstract

This article introduces a BackfillCAD model that relates to the determination of the backfilling time. The relationship of the individual model modules using a flow chart are characterized and presented. The main aim of the research was to determine the time of backfilling for the prospective deposits of zinc and lead ores in the Olkusz region in Poland. In the first stage of the research, laboratory tests were carried out on the backfilling mixture consisting of sand and water in a 1:1 volume ratio. In the laboratory tests, the content of grains below 0.1 mm, the washability, water permeability, and compressibility of the backfilling mixture were determined. After the standard requirements were met by the backfilling mixture, the arrangement of one-way and bidirectional strip excavations was designed. In the next stages, by means of computer aided-design MineScape software, maximum thicknesses of the ore-bearing dolomite layer (T21_VI) for four geological cross-sections were determined. The height of the first backfilled layer with a thickness of 5 m was analyzed. Taking into account the geometrical parameters of the strip—the maximum length and its width and height, as well as the capacity of the backfilling installation—this study calculated the backfilling times for the future strip excavations.