RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF MINE SEISMICITY: GLENCORE, KIDD MINE by Sandra V. L. Smith Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science (MASc) in Natural Resources Engineering Faculty of Graduate Studies Laurentian University Sudbury, Ontario © Sandra V.L. Smith, 2017 THESIS DEFENCE COMMITTEE/COMITÉ DE SOUTENANCE DE THÈSE Laurentian Université/Université Laurentienne Faculty of Graduate Studies/Faculté des études supérieures Title of Thesis Titre de la thèse RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF MINE SEISMICITY GLENCORE, KIDD MINE Name of Candidate Nom du candidat Smith, Sandra Degree Diplôme Master of Science Department/Program Date of Defence Département/Programme Natural Resources Engineering Date de la soutenance June 26, 2017 APPROVED/APPROUVÉ Thesis Examiners/Examinateurs de thèse: Dr. Marty Hudyma (Supervisor/Directeur(trice) de thèse) Dr. Shailendra Sharan (Committee member/Membre du comité) Dr Eugene Ben-Awuh (Committee member/Membre du comité) Approved for the Faculty of Graduate Studies Approuvé pour la Faculté des études supérieures Dr. David Lesbarrères Monsieur David Lesbarrères Dr. Brad Simser Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies (External Examiner/Examinateur externe) Doyen, Faculté des études supérieures ACCESSIBILITY CLAUSE AND PERMISSION TO USE I, Sandra Smith, hereby grant to Laurentian University and/or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or for the duration of my copyright ownership. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also reserve the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. I further agree that permission for copying of this thesis in any manner, in whole or in part, for scholarly purposes may be granted by the professor or professors who supervised my thesis work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department in which my thesis work was done. It is understood that any copying or publication or use of this thesis or parts thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. It is also understood that this copy is being made available in this form by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. ii ABSTRACT Understanding the rock mass response to underground mining is a significant benefit to assist with decisions aimed at maintaining safe access and controlling conditions in which incidents of rock mass failure may occur during excavation development. As Canadian mines get deeper, high stress conditions become more prevalent, often leading to dynamic rock mass failure. This failure results in recordable dynamic stress waves, also called mining induced seismic events. The occurrence of large seismic events has become commonplace in many Ontario hardrock mines. This thesis investigates the mining-induced seismic events recorded in the deepest levels of Glencore’s Kidd Mine, near Timmins, Ontario. The research focuses on mining-induced seismic events in Mine D, which is between 2000 and 3000 metres below surface. Spatial and temporal trends of large seismic events are investigated. Particular emphasis is placed on analysis of the variations in radiated seismic energy associated with large magnitude events. Through analysis of seismic source parameters such as radiated seismic energy, a better understanding of dynamic rock mass failure in a mine is achieved. This improved understanding aids in managing the risks associated with deep mining in high stress conditions. KEYWORDS Seismicity, Deep underground mines, Deep hardrock mines, Ontario hardrock mines, Mining- induced seismicity, rock mass response to mining, seismic response to mining, mXrap analysis in deep hardrock mines, energy variations, apparent stress, spatial and temporal analysis. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author wishes to thank the staff at Glencore’s Kidd Mine for providing the data and time in support of my research. In particular, I wish to thank Mr. Greg Cooper, Mr. Norm Disley and Mr. Dave Counter, for their efforts in helping me understand the complexities of the Kidd Mine geology, mining, rock mechanics and seismic data. I would also like to extend acknowledgement and thanks to my advisor, Dr. Marty Hudyma, for his steady guidance and encouragement during the evolution of this thesis. The encouragement of family, friends and coworkers has been greatly appreciated and none more so than my daughter, Alison. Her kindness, patience and her ability to keep me anchored have been invaluable. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................... III KEYWORDS ................................................................................................................................................. III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................................IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................ V LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................................................VIII LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................IX 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Seismicity in Underground Mines ................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Stress Redistribution and Strain Softening ....................................................................................... 2 1.3 Rock Mass Response ...................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.1 Strain ......................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3.2 Structure .................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Seismic Monitoring and Data .......................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Scope.............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.6 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................................... 6 1.7 Research Approach ......................................................................................................................... 7 1.8 Thesis Structure .............................................................................................................................. 8 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Terminology ................................................................................................................................. 10 2.2 Rock Mass Yielding and Damage Limits ...................................................................................... 14 2.2.1 Theory and Research................................................................................................................ 15 2.2.2 Stress and Strain ...................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.3 In Situ Strength ........................................................................................................................ 17 2.2.4 Damage Threshold, Strength and Yield .................................................................................... 20 2.2.5 Rock Mass Damage ................................................................................................................. 26 2.2.6 Confinement ............................................................................................................................ 27 2.2.7 Spalling Limit .......................................................................................................................... 30 2.3 Creighton Mine Case Study .......................................................................................................... 31 2.3.1 Yielded Regions ...................................................................................................................... 31 v 2.3.2 Stress Observations .................................................................................................................. 32 2.4 Apparent Stress, Energy Variations and Rock Mass Response to Mining ....................................... 33 2.4.1 Frequency-Magnitude Relation ................................................................................................ 34 2.4.2 S:P Energy Ratio ....................................................................................................................