Abstract

© 2019, Instituto Geologico y Minero de Espana. All rights reserved.The block caving method we review here is focused on Chilean deposits. Mining through block caving is applied to massive underground deposits when the open-pit method is not technically or economically viable. Block caving is a complex method ruled by the dynamics of caving and the breakage of the rock mass towards the surface due to ore extraction. Conventional block caving operations have been changing or depleting and consequently new deposits have appeared with new challenges, such as lower grades and greater depths. A review of the block-caving mining method focused mainly on Chilean deposits is presented in this paper. The principal characteristics of the method as well as planning policies are reported and described. We analyze the strategies that have been applied and evaluated in recent years, as well as their evolution with the blasting method of the undercut level, modifications of the current method and pre-treatment of the rock mass to be able to achieve mining.