Experimental study of mudrush mechanisms under different moisture contents in block caving

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mud-rush mechanisms during ore extraction have not been fully studied. In this study, a new experimental setup was created to analyse mud-rush events under controlled conditions. A block caving drawbell was scaled and filled with wet granular material to be extracted. The material drawn was then classified based on its consistency index. The results showed that the yield stress and the material consistency are good predictors of mud events in the experimental results. Finally, mud-rush events occurred mainly when material consistency was classified as plastic, soft, or fluid – with soft and fluid being the most significant.