MINE PLANNING BASICS FRIDAY - Sub Level Caving!!

A great example of changing over from sub level open stoping to sub level caving. The sub level caving method allows working in parallel on different sub levels in the mine. This means that continuous excavation works can be on-going at one sub level without interfering with another. After more than 30 years of open pit mining, Rana Gruber AS started underground mining using the sublevel open stoping method at the Kvannevann Mine in 2000. The mining has been continuously improved and further developed to suit the difficult rock conditions in the area and to reduce operating costs. A combination of low grade iron ore (with on average 33% Fe) and significant rock mechanics challenges (large horizontal stresses) has made the mining in the Kvannevann Mine extraordinary - Rana Gruber.