Innovation and practice of safe mining and sustainable development of metal mines

Abstract

With the increasing complexity and challenges of the metal mining environment, realizing safe, efficient, and low-dilution extraction has become an indispensable guarantee for stabilizing the supply of key mineral resources, which is also a core requirement for promoting the sustainable development of the metal mining industry. This paper systematically summarizes the innovative theories, key technologies, and practical methods proposed for high-efficiency, safe, and low-dilution mining of metal mines under complex mining conditions. Based on the proposed concept of “transforming hazards into benefits” and the complex stress conditions inherent in underground metal mining, a rock failure theory system under coupled dynamic and static loading, suitable for hard rock underground mining, has been established in terms of theory. An efficient and orderly fracturing technique for hard rock and an intelligent ground pressure monitoring and early warning system have been successfully developed, providing technical support for safe and efficient mining. Several innovative approaches are proposed and applied in practice, including continuous mining in hazardous goaf environments, integrated backfilling of caved zones using phosphate waste, and safe undersea extraction with low dilution and minimal loss. The research results not only provide a comprehensive theoretical and technical framework for the safe and efficient exploitation of metal mines under complex conditions but also point out the development direction for next-generation technologies such as intelligent unmanned mining and synergistic mineral-geothermal co-extraction. These contributions offer substantial theoretical guidance and practical value for promoting sustainable mineral resource development and advancing scientific mining.