Application of the rock dynamics monitoring system (Smdr) for geotechnical control of underground natural cavity in the quadrilatero ferrifero (mg)

Abstract

In recent years a series of studies have been conducted on underground natural cavities in ferriferous formations. These studies stem from the need to preserve the natural cavities and, at the same time, enable sustainably, the operation of an iron ore mine. This occurs from the fact that Brazil’s environmental legislation empirically stipulates a protective radius of 250 m, in order to avoid irreversible environmental damage to the caves, which in turn blocks the mining of a considerable fraction of iron ore. Thus, in order to verify the influence of rock blast with the use of explosives on the physical stability of the BRU_0034 cavity, near the Brucutu Mine of Vale S.A., monitoring was proposed through this study seismographic and displacement through the use of the Rock Dynamics Monitoring System (SMDR). Regarding the results obtained with the SMDR, it was possible to verify through the seismographic and displacement data that there was no major apparent movement in the sensors during the monitoring of rock blasting by explosives carried out in distances below 250 m.