Letters to the Editor Rock mechanics research improving mining

Your Oct 17th editorial presents an opportunity for comment.

The mining industry operators have understood, for some time, the need to “involve rock mechanics engineers in the mine design process.”

A glance back to the 1985 Stevenson inquiry reveals the following — “The effective integration of rock mechanics engineering into mine planning and design will help to reduce the incidence of ground control problems and rockburst. It is not possible, given the current level of knowledge, to completely eliminate rockbursts, but the rewards for reducing their impact on mining operations are significant.”

Falls of ground was the largest single cause of underground fatalities in Ontario (about one third of all underground fatals) in the 20 years from 1965- 1984. The implementation of the recommendations of the Stevenson inquiry is on- going.

Rock mechanics research, through a range of projects large and small, is steadily pressing for improvement in mining conditions and in the understanding of rock mass behavior. The formation of the Mining Research Directorate (MRD) and the Mining Industry Technology Council of Canada (MITEC) are more examples of the interest of all parties — industry, labor and government in the benefits of research. Likewise, the newly appointed research Chairs in rock mechanics at the University of Toronto, Laurentian and Queen’s indicate the seriousness of our collective concern. At this moment, we are seeking industry support for a major project which will require the collective efforts of these institutions, 100 person-years of research, and about $3.3 million to complete.

As for the smaller mines, they generally have sent at least some of their operating staff on courses such as the Ontario Centre for Ground Control Training, another post- Stevenson initiative. These mines often have on retainer, a rock mechanics consultant, particularly, where previous history has indicated a need. CANMET has long provided rock mechanics expertise to a wide variety of problems and in some cases on very short notice.

There has been a concerted industrial effort in this direction; rock mechanics will continue to be a very active research field. Unfortunately, serious accidents will also continue but they will strengthen our resolve to seek improvements and ultimately reduce the potential for tragedy. C. B. Graham Managing Director MRD Mining Research Directorate