Watson, BPRyder, JAKataka, MOKuijpers, JSLeteane, FP2009-07-272009-07-272008-08Watson PB, Ryder JA, Kataka MO et al. 2008. Merensky pillar strength formulae based on back-analysis of pillar failures at Impala Platinum. The Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Vol.108, pp 449-4610038–223Xhttp://hdl.handle.net/10204/3512Copyright: 2008 Southern African Institute of Mining and MetallurgyThe Bushveld platinum group metal deposits are two distinct, shallow-dipping stratiform tabular orebodies and strike for many hundreds of kilometres. Mining is extensive, with depths ranging from close-to-surface to 2 000 m. The mining method is a variation of planar open stoping. Pillars are widely used to support the open stopes. Little work has been done in the past to determine pillar strength and pillars have been designed using experience and formulae developed for other hard-rock mines. This has led to oversize pillars with consequential loss of ore or undersize pillars resulting in potential collapses or pillar bursts. This paper describes a back-analysis of pillar failures at Impala Platinum, just north of Rustenburg, and provides insights into pillar behaviour. Strength formulae are presented for Merensky Reef pillars at Impala. These formulae may be used cautiously on other platinum mines with similar geotechnical and geomechanical conditions.enMerensky Reef pillarsImpala PlatinumCrush pillarsMineralized pegmatoidal pyroxeniteStope chain pillarsPillar behaviourPlanar open stopingPillar burstsGeomechanical conditionsMetalsRocksMinesMetallurgyArticleWatson, B., Ryder, J., Kataka, M., Kuijpers, J., & Leteane, F. (2008). Merensky pillar strength formulae based on back-analysis of pillar failures at Impala Platinum. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/3512Watson, BP, JA Ryder, MO Kataka, JS Kuijpers, and FP Leteane "Merensky pillar strength formulae based on back-analysis of pillar failures at Impala Platinum." (2008) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/3512Watson B, Ryder J, Kataka M, Kuijpers J, Leteane F. Merensky pillar strength formulae based on back-analysis of pillar failures at Impala Platinum. 2008; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/3512.TY - Article AU - Watson, BP AU - Ryder, JA AU - Kataka, MO AU - Kuijpers, JS AU - Leteane, FP AB - The Bushveld platinum group metal deposits are two distinct, shallow-dipping stratiform tabular orebodies and strike for many hundreds of kilometres. Mining is extensive, with depths ranging from close-to-surface to 2 000 m. The mining method is a variation of planar open stoping. Pillars are widely used to support the open stopes. Little work has been done in the past to determine pillar strength and pillars have been designed using experience and formulae developed for other hard-rock mines. This has led to oversize pillars with consequential loss of ore or undersize pillars resulting in potential collapses or pillar bursts. This paper describes a back-analysis of pillar failures at Impala Platinum, just north of Rustenburg, and provides insights into pillar behaviour. Strength formulae are presented for Merensky Reef pillars at Impala. These formulae may be used cautiously on other platinum mines with similar geotechnical and geomechanical conditions. DA - 2008-08 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Merensky Reef pillars KW - Impala Platinum KW - Crush pillars KW - Mineralized pegmatoidal pyroxenite KW - Stope chain pillars KW - Pillar behaviour KW - Planar open stoping KW - Pillar bursts KW - Geomechanical conditions KW - Metals KW - Rocks KW - Mines KW - Metallurgy LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2008 SM - 0038–223X T1 - Merensky pillar strength formulae based on back-analysis of pillar failures at Impala Platinum TI - Merensky pillar strength formulae based on back-analysis of pillar failures at Impala Platinum UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/3512 ER -