Presentation title: Geo-Mechanical Numerical Modelling
Presenter: Alexey Shalashinski, DMT Group, Germany
Date: Thursday 15 September 2016
Time: 17:00 for 17:30
Venue: Worley Parsons, 39 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch.
The Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) Johannesburg Branch held its monthly technical presentation at Worley Parsons in Johannesburg last Thursday, 15 September 2016.
SAIMM Johannesburg branch chairman John Arthur Luckmann introduced presenter Alexey Shalashinski from DMT Group, Germany, spelled out purpose of presentation and in a few words explained an importance of the “Geo-mechanical numerical modelling” for mining professionals working in South African mines.
Presenter depicted holistically the Geo-mechanical numerical modelling methods and portrayed how those methods allow determining the suitability of different supporting systems. He also explained how essential information could be obtained in order to set up the model and how calibrations should be carried out to ensure the highest preciseness of the result.
Alexey introduced new approach to planning of underground excavations by describing the interaction between inhomogeneous rock mass and support elements. He described in details several examples of projects in various commodities and for different mine structures in European, Asian and African underground mines.
Alexey briefly outlined what services DMT provides to mining sector and in a nutshell he indicated that DMT is one of the world leaders in the geo-mechanical numerical modelling field and has some 25 years of experience in investigating and using geotechnical parameters to curry out numerical calculations.
During presentation Alexey also added that today, nearly all kind of underground excavation (shafts, pit bottoms, bunkers, gate roads, rooms and pillars) are planned and evaluated by the DMT with geo-mechanical-numerical tools in combination with empirical planning methods.
After presentation was completed several questions from the floor were posed to the presenter by the mining professionals’ who were interested in geo-mechanical numerical modelling.
First question came from ex branch chairman Mike Woodhall, Enterprise Mining Executive at Mine RP who ask presenter about possibility to provide training in geo-mechanical numerical modelling in South African mining environment? Alexey responded that DMT has a capacity to provide any support at any stage of geo-mechanical numerical modelling.
Second question came from the SRK rock mechanic engineer who asks about technical details pertaining numerical tools? Alexey responded in detail, where such numerical software can be obtained.
Following session of questions the presentation attendees were invited to the bar area for cocktails and drinks where more questions were proffered to Alexey and one of them was from the Anglo Gold Ashanti Evaluation Geologist: Yelena van der Grijp who send email message following day from her work thanking presenter and organizers for enjoyable presentation. Copy of email enclosed below;
From: Van Der Grijp, Yelena
Sent: 16 September 2016 01:30 PM
Subject: Contact details
Dear Gentlemen,
It was a great pleasure to meet you all yesterday. Both, the technical talk and the social part of the evening were very enjoyable. I hope to see you all soon.
All the best.
Kind Regards,
Yelena van der Grijp
Specialist: Evaluation Geologist
Geology Department - AngloGold Ashanti
Kind regards
John Arthur Luckmann
Chairman, SAIMM Johannesburg Branch