Assessment of effective parameters on cavability of rock mass in block caving mines using rock engineering system

The accurate prediction of rock mass cavability is one of the key factors in block caving mines. Today, the industry interest in application of caving methods in the strong rock masses, the reliable prediction of rock mass cavability will be much more important. If the cavability of the orebody is not assessed with a reasonable accuracy, expensive and time-consuming measures may be required subsequently to initiate or sustain caving. Therefore, it is of great importance to identify the effective parameters and interactions between them. Here, the effective parameters on cavability are introduced and then, by using RES method the level of dominant or subordinante of each parameter is assessed. In-situ stress, caving rate and fragmentation are the most dominant factors. Joint orientation is the most dominate parameter in the system (Max C-E) and potential of cavability is the most subordinate parameter (Min C-E).