Evaluation of excavation method on point load strength of rocks with poor geological conditions in a deep metal mine

Abstract In the field of deep mining engineering, it poses a challenge to promptly determine the mechanical properties of rocks under poor geological conditions through in-situ tests. However, the indirect determination of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of rocks can be achieved through the point load strength index (PLSI) test on irregular samples. In the present study, laboratory uniaxial compressive and field PLSI tests were carried out on irregular ore and rock blocks extracted through mechanical mining methods from a stope at a lead–zinc mine in Yunnan Province, China, with a depth of approximately 1000 m. The effects of mechanical excavation and drilling-blasting methods on the PLSI of rocks and ores are compared. It is found that there are significant differences in the point load strength indexes obtained by different excavation methods, and the I s (50) obtained after the mechanical excavation method approximates the actual value of ore and surrounding rocks. Two correction methods were utilized to obtain the point load strength indexes I s (50)-1 and I s (50)-2 of irregular rock samples. The correlation factors ( k ) linking I s (50) to UCS and Brazilian splitting strength are derived based on testing results. The findings indicate that using the conversion factor ( k ) recommended by ISRM to predict the UCS of rocks may significantly underestimate the actual strength of rocks in intricate mining environments. This study can serve as a benchmark for analogous deep mining projects.