ABSTRACT
This paper evaluated stability of drives excavated in paste-filled stopes for drilling long holes for further blasting in underhand mining. The practical implementation of the process has been carried out at the Rampura Agucha underground zinc mine in India. Simulation for effect of excavation and blasting vibration on the surrounding area was carried out using dynamic analysis in 3 dimensions using FLAC3D. The actual geometrical profiles of the stopes along with the original rock mass properties were incorporated in the model. The stopes below the blasted stopes are prepared for ore extraction after excavation drives in paste fill. Rayleigh damping condition was applied to the model along with application of dynamic blast load with viscous boundary conditions. The vertical component of peak particle velocity (PPV) at various points in the model were measured and were compared to the values observed at the corresponding locations in the field.
