Geotechnical Considerations for Mining Method Selection of a Potential Underground Iron Ore Mine in Mideastern, Turkey

Geotechnical analysis plays an important role in determining mining method selection. This study presents the geotechnical design analysis of a potential underground iron ore mine at Mentes in Yahyali province of Kayseri district, Turkey. The iron ore body is initially planned to be mined using the long hole mining method. Detailed geotechnical site investigations and laboratory work are conducted to evaluate the selected mining method's applicability. By logging diamond-drilled borehole cores and providing geotechnical characterization through RMR89 and Q classification values, the study assesses the rock mass units. Extensive laboratory tests evaluate the geotechnical properties of both the ore and wall rocks. The results from rock mass classification, along with empirical stope dimensioning, inform detailed numerical modeling (finite element) for pillar-stope layout stability analyses. It concludes that the originally planned long hole stope dimensions present safety risks, suggesting that a drift and fill mining method may be more suitable for this project.