4D time lapse tomography for monitoring cave propagation and stress distribution in Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) PT Freeport Indonesia

Abstract

Caving activity results in an increased induced seismicity which should be monitored to avoid massive and uncontrolled rock damage. This research was conducted at the Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) underground mine, the deepest underground mine in Indonesia operated by PT Freeport Indonesia. This research aims to monitor cave propagation by using 4D tomography with a catalogue of microseismic for 57 days with a total of 14,821 events recorded by 84 stations consisting of 176,265 P phases and 133,472 S phases. The data is divided into four subsets to see the velocity evolution related to cave progress. Checkerboard Resolution Test (CRT) and Derivative Weight Sum (DWS) are used to assess the resolution of the inversion. 3D initial velocity model is constructed based on geological information and coring data. We have succeeded in identifying the interpreted cave propagation of a 60 m extension to the NW at around 100 m above undercut level based on 4D changes in velocity tomogram validate by Time Domain Reflectometry data. The decrease of Vp and Vs in subset 3 is interpreted due to the fracturing processes as the cave progresses. Furthermore, we observe a stress redistribution along with the progress of the cave, which is characterized by high velocities (Vp and Vs) due to compensation for changes in low velocity values ​​in the area in front of the cave, which is starting to collapse. We suggest that a considerable change in the velocity tomogram as an indicator of impending caving.