Reducing Uncertainty in Mining Applications Through Advanced Numerical Modeling

ABSTRACT: As mining operations increasingly target complex geological environments—characterized by steeper open-pit slopes, deeper underground excavations, and challenging ore body access—traditional methods such as analytical solutions, design charts, and limit equilibrium analyses are often inadequate. These simplistic approaches struggle to capture the intricate geomechanical interactions inherent in modern mining, leading to significant uncertainties that can compromise safety, efficiency, and profitability. This invited talk explores how advanced numerical modelling provides a robust framework to address these challenges, offering enhanced reliability in design and operational planning. Through a series of practical case studies, this presentation will demonstrate the key role of advanced numerical methods in addressing complex mining scenarios. Key applications include: (1) evaluating the role of rock joint persistence in controlling cave propagation during block caving, (2) ensuring infrastructure stability in open stoping environments, (3) optimizing blast design and rock pre-conditioning for efficient stoping, and (4) assessing the combined influence of jointing and porewater pressure on slope performance and runout behavior. The talk will emphasize the pivotal role of selecting appropriate numerical toolsets to reduce these uncertainties. By leveraging advanced computational techniques, namely the finite-discrete element method, these case studies illustrate how tailored numerical approaches can improve predictions of rock mass behavior, enhance design reliability, and optimize operational strategies. The discussion will underscore the importance of integrating site-specific geological data with sophisticated modelling to achieve safer and more efficient mining operations.