Editorial Rock mechanics research should be put to use

To advance mining technology, governments have spent millions of taxpayers’ dollars on rock mechanics research. In the process, a number of computer “tools” have been developed to help mine planners do their job better. These inexpensive tools use desktop personal computers to model the stress levels in the rock around mine openings and, if used properly by a professional, can predict where rock failures are likely to occur. Civil engineers have used such sophisticated computer models in their design work for years. And yet, no mine properties we’ve visited are using this technology in their day-to-day operations. Why not?

Could it be that the people who know what these tools can and cannot do (the rock mechanics engineers of this world) do not have the decision-making responsibility to institute the necessary changes within a mining organization? Or have they simply not done their job of convincing upper management of the potential benefits of the technology?

Giving rock mechanics engineers a daily say in the activities of a mine has to come from the top of an organization. Push from the bottom can only go so far. Since there is little evidence that rock mechanics has made the expected inroads into the day-to-day operation of mines, the implication is that upper management has chosen to pay it only lip service. Again, we have to ask why.

Managers of today’s mining companies should look beyond the short-term economic returns and consider technology that could have significant benefits for their company 10-15 years down the road. For many upper managers, who are at or near retirement age, 2-5 years may be the focus of their interests. If something doesn’t pay off during their tenure, would they be interested in instituting changes that will have a long-term impact on the company?

It could be that some miners have gotten away with mining mineral resources inefficiently for so long that they are not about to start mining them more efficiently now.

The way rock mechanics technology is advancing, the day might come when a hardrock underground miner comes to work some morning and refuses to enter his workplace because it’s unsafe. As evidence, he could produce the results of a finite element analysis he performed on his personal computer at home. What will upper management do then?

Admittedly, rock mechanics is a young science, but if industry does not use the best available technology now, what is the sense of spending more government money to advance the science even further?

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