A gabion reinforcement system for preventing damage to backfill dumps in open-pit mines

Abstract

This invention discloses a gabion reinforcement system for preventing damage to backfill dumps in open-pit mines, comprising: an inner dump, a base, gabions, backfill material, and inclinometers. The inner dump is used for stockpiling the backfill material. The base is the exposed surface after the open-pit mine is completed, serving as supporting soil for subsequent dumping operations and providing geological conditions for laying the gabions. The gabions are laid on the base surface to maintain and reinforce the multi-layered slope structure composed of the backfill material. The backfill material is transported to the inner dump by dump trucks and dumped therein. The inclinometers are used for subsequent monitoring of soil displacement. This invention significantly improves the shear strength of the backfill material, thereby stabilizing the slope of the dump, effectively suppressing the horizontal deformation of the dump steps along the slope direction, and avoiding potential deformation and large-scale landslides that may occur on the dump slope under external erosion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of gabion mesh, and particularly relates to a gabion mesh reinforcement system for preventing damage to open-pit mine backfill dumps. Background Technology

[0002] Advances in current technology have greatly improved the efficiency of mining resource extraction, which in turn has led to changes in the handling of backfill materials such as excavated soil, rock, and waste. Current methods primarily involve selecting abandoned open-pit mines within the same mining area as dump sites, and then transporting the waste to the edge of the unloading platform using dump trucks and other equipment for unloading. The unloaded backfill material forms multiple layers of steps within the dump site.

[0003] However, the aforementioned formation of spoil heaps poses significant safety hazards. Spoil heaps are man-made, with the next heap often being constructed immediately after the previous one is completed. Therefore, the soil in the previous heap does not have sufficient time to naturally consolidate, and its inherent soil strength is far from reaching a naturally stable state. This step-by-step spoil disposal method is irregular in timing, unstable in intensity, and makes it impossible to ascertain whether the resulting heaps possess stable physical properties, thus making it impossible to predict the strength and potential deformation of the spoil heap soil. Over time or under certain disaster conditions, this unstable soil system may deform, leading to landslides. Although modern mining has optimized internal backfilling processes to address landslides in spoil heaps, deformation during backfilling remains a prominent issue, threatening safe mining operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problem of insufficient strength in existing mine spoil heap steps leading to deformation and subsequent large-scale landslides, this invention provides a gabion reinforcement system to prevent damage to open-pit mine spoil heaps, comprising:

[0005] Internal spoil heap, foundation, gabion mesh, backfill bulk material, inclinometer tube;

[0006] The internal spoil heap is used for backfilling the stockpiling of bulk materials;

[0007] The base is the exposed surface after the open-pit mine is completed, which is used as the supporting land for subsequent soil dumping operations and to provide geological conditions for the laying of gabion mesh.

[0008] The gabion mesh is laid on the base surface to maintain and reinforce the multi-layer slope structure composed of backfill granular material.

[0009] The backfill bulk material is transported to the inner spoil disposal site by dump trucks and dumped therein;

[0010] The inclinometer tube is used for subsequent monitoring of soil displacement.

[0011] Preferably, the internal spoil heap is a mining area within the mining area that has been completed, or an open-pit mining area that has been closed in advance.

[0012] When there are multiple open-pit mines in the open-pit mine that was closed earlier, the mine that was closed earlier shall be selected as the internal spoil disposal site.

[0013] The location of the spoil heap is selected in conjunction with the local natural environment, avoiding mine pits that may pose conditions for natural disasters, and at the same time, pre-planned drainage measures are in place.

[0014] Preferably, the internal spoil heap is also used to provide a slag disposal area for newly developed mining areas, so as to realize the simultaneous operation of mining operations in adjacent mining areas and slag disposal operations in the internal spoil heap.

[0015] Preferably, the surface of the base is determined by the depth of the mining excavation, and the physical properties of the base remain in the state after the mining is completed, being soil formed by natural deposition.

[0016] Preferably, the gabion mesh is composed of wire mesh and hard crushed stone discarded in the mining area, and is laid on the key layer steps of the inner spoil heap;

[0017] The length of the gabion mesh is determined by the distance from the base edge to the edge of the current step, and the height is determined by the height of the current step. The width of the gabion mesh and the spacing between two adjacent gabion meshes can be set as needed, and multiple gabion meshes are arranged in a "well" pattern after being staggered.

[0018] Preferably, the gabion mesh is constructed by using hard, blocky crushed stones to form a cross-shaped stone cube, which is then enclosed by a flexible, high-strength steel wire mesh to form a layered, integral gabion mesh.

[0019] Preferably, the process of laying the gabion mesh on the key step of the inner spoil heap includes:

[0020] The gabion mesh is laid in the sections of the inner spoil heap that are relatively easy to deform and bear greater stress, and is laid on the key layer, with the progress increasing layer by layer as the heap ascends.

[0021] Preferably, the key layer of the gabion mesh is a spoil heap step that is prone to deformation under the influence of landslide time and external conditions, which may lead to large-volume landslides.

[0022] The number of key layers selected includes 1 to 5 layers.

[0023] Preferably, the backfill bulk material is sourced from the mining area to be mined, including abandoned ore bodies and mined soil from the mining area;

[0024] The abandoned ore bodies and mining soils in the mining area include, but are not limited to, fine sand excavated during mining or excavation, crushed rock extracted during mining, and slag.

[0025] Preferably, the inclinometer tubes are connected by inclinometer tube connecting sleeves to form a PVC pipe, which extends from the side of the gabion mesh to the ground surface, and the openings of the inclinometer tubes are covered on the ground surface, so as to obtain monitoring data of soil displacement by measuring the inclinometer.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and technical effects:

[0027] The gabion mesh in this invention only requires steel wire mesh and relatively hard crushed stone. The raw materials are simple, and the crushed stone can be obtained locally from the mining area. At the same time, the laying process requires less labor, resulting in lower cost and shorter laying period.

[0028] In this invention, gabion mesh is laid on the key layer of the spoil heap step. Compared with spoil heap operations without any reinforcement treatment, this invention significantly improves the shear strength of the backfill granular material, thereby stabilizing the stability of the spoil heap slope, effectively suppressing the horizontal deformation of the spoil heap step along the slope direction, and avoiding deformation and large-scale landslides that may occur on the spoil heap slope under external erosion.

[0029] The gabion mesh construction method of this invention is simple and does not require workers to have advanced construction skills, making it relatively easy to learn. At the same time, the simplified process has minimal impact on existing backfilling processes, ensuring that the excavation work proceeds steadily according to the original design.

[0030] The inclinometer tube in this invention further ensures the safety of gabion mesh. With only a small investment, it transforms the real-time condition of the slope into data to provide a visualized safety basis for future construction. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall spoil heap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the spoil heap according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a gabion mesh according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a partial enlarged view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Among them, 1. Internal spoil heap; 2. Mining area to be mined; 3. Gabion mesh; 4. Location of gabion mesh to be laid; 5. Crushed stone; 6. Gabion mesh junction; 7. Base; 8. Backfill bulk material; 9. High-strength flexible steel wire; 10. Inclinometer tube; 11. Inclinometer tube connecting sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0038] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0039] It should be noted that the steps shown in the flowchart in the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer-executable instructions, and although a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases the steps shown or described may be executed in a different order than that shown here.

[0040] like Figure 1-5 As shown, this embodiment provides a gabion mesh reinforcement system 3 to prevent damage to open-pit mine backfill dumps, comprising:

[0041] Internal spoil heap 1, foundation 7, gabion mesh 3, backfill bulk material 8, inclinometer tube 10;

[0042] The inner spoil heap 1 is a mining area where mining has ended or an open-pit mining area that has been closed in advance, used as a stockpile for backfilling bulk materials 8.

[0043] Base 7 is the exposed surface after the open-pit mine is completed, serving as the supporting land for subsequent soil removal operations. The surface of base 7, as position 4 where gabion mesh is to be laid, provides solid geological conditions for the laying of gabion mesh 3.

[0044] Gabion mesh 3 is laid on the surface of the base 7 and is composed of wire mesh and large, hard gravel from the mining area. It is used to maintain and reinforce the multi-layer slope structure composed of backfill granular material 8.

[0045] Backfill bulk material 8 consists of abandoned ore bodies and mined soil from the mining area, which are transported to the spoil heap by dump trucks and other transport vehicles and dumped there.

[0046] Inclinometer tube 10 is a PVC pipe pre-embedded to facilitate subsequent monitoring of soil displacement.

[0047] Furthermore, internal spoil heap 1 is a mining site within the mining area that has been decommissioned, or, when there are multiple open-pit mines, a mine that has been closed earlier is given priority as the internal spoil heap. The site selection of the spoil heap needs to be combined with the local natural environment, and should avoid mines that may have conditions that lead to natural disasters. At the same time, pre-planned drainage measures should be taken to avoid harmful situations such as landslides.

[0048] Furthermore, the inner spoil heap 1 can provide a slag disposal area for newly developed mining areas, allowing mining operations in adjacent mining areas to be carried out simultaneously with slag disposal operations in the inner spoil heap 1.

[0049] Furthermore, the base 7 serves to maintain and reinforce the bottom of the mine pit, and its surface is determined by the depth of the mining excavation. The physical properties of the base 7 remain in the state after the mine pit is completed, consisting of naturally deposited soil. Subsequent backfill material 8 will be disposed of on the surface of the base 7.

[0050] Furthermore, the gabion mesh 3 uses large, hard, blocky crushed stones to construct gabion mesh intersection points 6 in a "cross" shape, obtaining stone cubic blocks. The stone cubic blocks are sealed by flexible high-strength steel wire mesh to form a layered whole gabion mesh 3.

[0051] Gabion mesh 3 is laid on the critical layer steps of the spoil heap. Specifically, gabion mesh 3 is laid on the parts of the spoil heap steps that are relatively prone to deformation and bear greater stress, and is laid on the critical layer, with the progress increasing layer by layer. The length of gabion mesh 3 is determined by the distance from the edge of the base 7 to the edge of the current step, and the height is determined by the height of the current step. The width of gabion mesh 3 and the spacing between two adjacent gabion meshes 3 are set according to requirements. In this embodiment, the width of gabion mesh 3 is 10 meters, the spacing between two adjacent gabion meshes 3 is 100 meters, and multiple gabion meshes 3 are arranged in a staggered "well" pattern.

[0052] Furthermore, the key layer for laying the gabion mesh 3 is the spoil heap terrace, which is prone to deformation under the influence of landslide time and external conditions, potentially leading to large-volume landslides. The number of key layers is generally around 1-5; in this embodiment, 3 layers are selected.

[0053] Furthermore, the backfill material 8 is collected from the mining area 2 to be mined, and consists of fine sand, crushed rock and slag extracted during mining or excavation. After the gabion mesh 3 is laid in the selected spoil heap, the backfill material 8 is dumped in the spoil heap, and the collected material is dumped as backfill soil into the inner spoil heap 1.

[0054] Furthermore, the inclinometer tubes 10 provide a prerequisite for subsequent slope stability testing, and their quantity is determined based on the on-site construction conditions. The pre-embedded inclinometer tubes 10 are used to provide reliable assistance for subsequent construction and testing by utilizing the measured data from the inclinometer used in the future. Specifically, multiple sections of the inclinometer tubes 10 are extended from the side of the gabion mesh to the ground surface via inclinometer tube connecting sleeves 11, and the openings of the inclinometer tubes 10 are covered at the ground surface to prevent debris from entering the pipes and affecting the inclinometer's measurements.

[0055] Example

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this embodiment demonstrates and utilizes an existing spoil heap as the inner spoil heap 1 of the mining area, responsible for containing the backfill bulk material 8 generated in the mining area. Subsequent spoil heap operations and gabion mesh 3 laying are all carried out within this inner spoil heap 1. The inner spoil heap 1 is selected based on the existing mining area conditions. The mining area after the mining is completed can be used as the inner spoil heap 1. During the backfilling operation, attention should be paid to safety issues, and protective measures should be taken at an effective distance.

[0057] The backfill bulk material 8 was collected from the unexploited mining area 2, and the collected material was dumped as backfill soil into the inner spoil heap 1. For example... Figure 2 As shown, waste disposal is carried out on the base 7 of the inner spoil heap, with the waste piles forming steps from bottom to top. During the stacking process, key layers are selected as the locations for the subsequent construction of the gabion mesh 3. Inclinometer tubes 10 are installed at selected locations on the sides of the gabion mesh, gradually extending upwards as the steps are stacked, and are fixed and extended to the ground surface via connecting sleeves 11. The gabion mesh 3 is constructed from the edge of the waste disposal steps to the base 7. The constructed gabion mesh is made of high-strength flexible steel wire 99 wound together, and filled with larger crushed stones 5 collected from the mining area. The gabion mesh 3 is approximately 10 meters wide, and its height is determined by the height of the currently selected key layer steps. Each gabion mesh 3 is spaced 100 meters apart, arranged in a "well" shape. The specific specifications of the gabion mesh 3 are reasonably selected while ensuring the overall strength of the gabion mesh 3. In subsequent repeated spoil disposal operations, the gabion mesh 3 is extended along with the spoil disposal steps, so that the constructed gabion mesh 3 extends to the edge of the current spoil disposal steps. In subsequent spoil disposal operations, spoil stacking and gabion mesh 3 are constructed alternately until the overall spoil disposal operation of inner spoil disposal site 1 is completed.

[0058] This invention utilizes an open-pit mining area as an internal spoil heap, a base on the surface of the spoil heap, and gabion mesh laid on the base. After the gabion mesh is laid, backfill materials are loaded and unloaded by dump trucks. The gabion mesh is constructed using large, hard crushed stones already available in the mining area, flexible high-strength wire mesh, and a small amount of hand-woven material. The gabion mesh is flexible overall, specifically formed by constructing several layers of gabions in a "cross" shape using relatively hard stones, which are then sealed with flexible, high-strength wire mesh. The gabion mesh is approximately 10 meters wide, with its height determined by each spoil heap step, and the spacing between each gabion is approximately 100 meters. Inclined measuring tubes extending to the ground surface are installed on the sides of the gabion mesh. This gabion mesh design effectively reduces the possibility of large-scale landslides in the internal spoil heap by increasing the shear strength of the backfill materials. The addition of inclined measuring tubes near the gabion mesh facilitates subsequent monitoring of soil displacement. This invention requires only wire mesh and a small amount of manpower. The wire mesh is constructed into a gabion structure by hand. The gabion is filled with a hard filler material, which is made from relatively hard crushed stones available in the mining area. This locally sourced material is inexpensive and has minimal impact on existing backfilling processes. It effectively improves the stability of landslides at spoil heaps with less resources and manpower, greatly protecting local property and personal safety.

[0059] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A gabion reinforcement system for preventing damage to backfill dumps in open-pit mines, characterized in that, include: Internal spoil heap, foundation, gabion mesh, backfill bulk material, inclinometer tube; The internal spoil heap is used for backfilling the stockpiling of bulk materials; The base is the exposed surface after the open-pit mine is completed, which is used as the supporting land for subsequent soil dumping operations and to provide geological conditions for the laying of gabion mesh. The gabion mesh is laid on the base surface to maintain and reinforce the multi-layer slope structure composed of backfill granular material. The backfill bulk material is transported to the inner spoil disposal site by dump trucks and dumped therein; The inclinometer tube is used for subsequent monitoring of soil displacement; The gabion mesh is constructed by using hard, blocky crushed stones to form a "cross" shaped stone cube. The stone cube is then enclosed by a flexible, high-strength steel wire mesh to form a layered, integrated gabion mesh. The process of laying the gabion mesh on the key step of the internal spoil heap includes: The gabion mesh is laid in the parts of the inner spoil heap that are relatively easy to deform and bear greater stress, and is laid on the key layer, with the progress increasing layer by layer as the heap rises. The key layer of the gabion mesh is the spoil heap step, which is prone to deformation under the influence of landslide time and external conditions, and may lead to large-volume landslides. The number of key layers selected includes 1-5 layers; The backfill bulk material is sourced from the mining area to be mined, including abandoned ore bodies and mined soil from the mining area; The abandoned ore bodies and mining soil in the mining area to be mined include, but are not limited to, fine sand excavated during mining or excavation, crushed rock and slag extracted during mining. The inclinometer tubes are connected by inclinometer tube connecting sleeves to form a PVC pipe, which extends from the side of the gabion mesh to the ground surface. The openings of the inclinometer tubes are covered on the ground surface to obtain monitoring data of soil displacement by measuring with an inclinometer. The gabion mesh is composed of wire mesh and hard crushed stone discarded in the mining area, and is laid on the key steps of the inner spoil heap. The length of the gabion mesh is determined by the distance from the base edge to the edge of the current step, and the height is determined by the height of the current step. The width of the gabion mesh and the spacing between two adjacent gabion meshes can be set according to the requirements. Multiple gabion meshes are arranged in a "well" pattern after being staggered. In subsequent repeated soil removal operations, the gabion mesh is extended as the soil removal steps are extended.

2. The gabion reinforcement system for preventing damage to open-pit mine backfill dumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The internal spoil heap is a mining site within the mining area that has been completed or an open-pit mine that has been closed in advance. When there are multiple open-pit mines in the open-pit mine that was closed earlier, the mine that was closed earlier shall be selected as the internal spoil disposal site. The location of the spoil heap is selected in conjunction with the local natural environment, avoiding mine pits that may pose conditions for natural disasters, and at the same time, pre-planned drainage measures are in place.

3. The gabion reinforcement system for preventing damage to open-pit mine backfill dumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The internal spoil heap is also used to provide a slag disposal area for newly developed mining areas, so that mining operations in adjacent mining areas and slag disposal operations in the internal spoil heap can be carried out simultaneously.

4. The gabion reinforcement system for preventing damage to open-pit mine backfill dumps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the base is determined by the depth of the mining excavation, and the physical properties of the base remain in the state after the mining is completed, being soil formed by natural deposition.

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