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The determination ofin situ rock thermal properties and the simulation of climate in an underground mine

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Summary

This paper describes the results from a continuing research project started in 1984, which is investigating improved methods for predicting the underground climate in hot mines. The Homestake Gold Mine in South Dakota was the site for testing methods, based on radial heat flow theory, to measurein situ values of the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of rock. The methods used proved to be quite within the capability of mine staff to carry out for themselves. The results were acceptable and verified thatin situ thermal rock properties can differ considerably from laboratory determined values, in this case by a factor of approximately two.

A mine climate simulation program, CLIMSIM, was applied to case studies from the Homestake mine using the measured thermal rock parameters. The results showed good correlation between the measured and simulated values.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, 89557, Reno, Nevada, USA

    P. Mousset-Jones

  2. Department of Materials Science and Mineral Engineering, University of California, 94720, Berkeley, California, USA

    M. J. McPherson

Authors
  1. P. Mousset-Jones
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  2. M. J. McPherson
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Mousset-Jones, P., McPherson, M.J. The determination ofin situ rock thermal properties and the simulation of climate in an underground mine. International Journal of Mining and Geological Engineering 4, 197–216 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01560716

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01560716

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