Research and Improvement of Methods for Predicting Hidden Fracturing in a Rock Mass at a Polymetallic Mine

Authors

  • N.B. Bakhtybayev Mining Research Group LLP
  • O.A. Abil Mining Research Group LLP
  • A.S. Bakhtybayeva Mining Research Group LLP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31643/2028/6445.11

Keywords:

hidden fracturing, rock mass, underground mine workings, ground-penetrating radar profiling, laser scanning, fracture mapping, geomechanical modeling, mine support.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study aimed at improving the reliability of predicting hidden fracturing in the near-contour rock mass adjacent to underground mine workings at a polymetallic mine. The relevance of the study is associated with the fact that hidden discontinuities are not always identified during conventional visual inspection of the rock mass, which increases the risk of local collapses and complicates the selection of support parameters. The work aimed to improve methods for predicting hidden fracturing through the integrated application of ground-penetrating radar profiling, three-dimensional surveying, spatial fracture mapping, and geomechanical modeling. The study included analysis of the mining and geological conditions of the deposit, laser scanning of mine working sections, spatial fracture analysis in ShapeMetriX, numerical modeling in RocTunnel3, and GPR profiling using the GROT 12N system. It was established that the highest reliability of hidden fracturing prediction is achieved through the sequential integration of 3D survey data, spatial fracture analysis, and GPR investigation. The practical effect of the proposed approach lies in improving the validity of selecting existing support schemes rather than introducing new support types.

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Author Biographies

N.B. Bakhtybayev, Mining Research Group LLP

Candidate of Technical Sciences, Director of the Mining Research Group LLP, Karaganda, Kazakhstan.  ORCID ID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9816-9765

O.A. Abil, Mining Research Group LLP

Executive Director of the Mining Research Group LLP, Karaganda, Kazakhstan. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9939-9039

A.S. Bakhtybayeva, Mining Research Group LLP

PhD, Senior researcher of the Mining Research Group LLP, Karaganda, Kazakhstan. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7163-6274

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Technological regulations for selecting the types and parameters of support at the Dolinnoye mine. Version 3. 2025.

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Published

2026-05-28

How to Cite

Bakhtybayev, N., Abil, O., & Bakhtybayeva, A. (2026). Research and Improvement of Methods for Predicting Hidden Fracturing in a Rock Mass at a Polymetallic Mine. Kompleksnoe Ispolzovanie Mineralnogo Syra = Complex Use of Mineral Resources, 344(1), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.31643/2028/6445.11

Issue

Section

Earth and Planetary Sciences: Earth-Surface Processes