Evaluation of pillar width on crush pillar behavior using a limit equilibrium solution

Mining with crush pillars

“…These findings illustrate how important it is to achieve pillar crushing while the pillar is close to, or is being formed at, the mining face. The results in Figure 5 can be compared to results presented by du Plessis and Malan (2014), where pillar crushing causes load shedding if the pillars are cut to the correct width.…”

“…Du Plessis and Malan (2014) demonstrated the effect of oversized crush pillars in the back area of a stope. The findings indicated that if an oversized pillar did not crush at Mining with crush pillars VOLUME 118 the face while being cut, as these pillars move into the back area as the mining face advances, they experience a higher stress level.…”