Best Practices
Address Potential for Future Massive Pillar Collapses:
• Properly design pillars for benching (width-to-height ratio >0.8 and assess pillar stability)
• Maintain planned dimensions
• Account for pillar raveling or blasting overbreak
• Assess geologic features in the pillar
Identify At-Risk Areas:
• Recognize signs, such as spalling and hourglassing, that may indicate a pillar is overstressed
• Assess benched areas and verify pillar dimensions
• Evaluate potential air blast pathways
• Reduce exposure of miners to airpaths
• Protect mine infrastructure