Application of digital geomechanical twins to predict and assess risks of reserve loss in ore mining projects

Abstract

Challenges in mining of ore deposits associated with great depths and increasing mining, geological and engineering risks make the design decisions significantly more complicated and reduce the efficiency of mining operations. The article provides a brief description of the research methods employed by specialists from the Polygore Company and Saint Petersburg Mining University. Results are presented of studying the tectonically stressed state and the geodynamically hazardous zones, or risk zones, in the mining of ore deposits. The stress-and-strain state of the natural stress field was determined using the PRESS 3D URAL dedicated software. Studies to ensure geodynamic safety were carried out based on a 3D geodynamic model and using three types of models, i.e. the block (geological and structural), geodynamic and mining-geodynamic model of the deposit (mine field or its segment). The results obtained allow making a conclusion about viability of applying analytical methods to calculate the stressed state of blocky rock mass and, in particular, application of the PRESS 3D URAL dedicated software as a digital geomechanical twin, as well as the need to continue and expand research activities in this direction to enhance safety of mining operations.