Stochastic modeling of rock fragment flow under gravity

The caving mining methods are widely used due to their advantages of high productivity, high efficiency, low cost, operational safety and breadth of geologic application. Following some rock fragmentation by blasting, the methods utilize grvitational flow of rock fragments for ore material extraction. In this study, the Litwiniszyn dry sand stochastic flow model was modified to better predict the draw shape of rock fragment flow. The model was implemented in a computer program and the development of the flow zone was investigated. The modeling results were compared with the experimental results of a large scale physical model as well as the ellipsoid theory. The outcomes were analyzed and discussed.; Caving mining methods are widely used due to their advantages of high productivity and efficiency, low cost, operational safety and breadth of geologic applications. Following some rock fragmentation by blasting, the methods utilize gravitational flow of rock fragments for ore material extraction. In connection, a stochastic model proposed by Litwiniszyn for dry sand flow is modified to predict the draw shape of rock fragment flow. The model is implemented in a computer program and the flow zone development is investigated. The model predicts the flow pattern better than the ellipsoid theory and successfully simulates some phenomena that cannot be explained by the ellipsoid theory. The flow conditions vary with the distance of the draw point.