Development of benchmark stoping widths for longhole narrow-vein stoping

In narrow vein mining it is often not possible to limit stope width to the vein width when utilising blasting for rock breakage. A probabilistic benchmarking method is used to estimate benchmark stability stoping widths and benchmark average stoping width for three commonly used narrow vein longhole blast patterns. Average stoping widths for inline, staggered and dice-5 blast patterns have been estimated at 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 m respectively. Average stoping width can be used to assess planned and unplanned dilution. Additionally, a concept termed the benchmark stability stoping width has been defined and quantified for the three blasting patterns. Stability stoping widths for inline, staggered and dice-5 have been estimated at 1.6, 2.0 and 2.1 m respectively. Narrow vein stopes within these limits after blasting can be regarded as stable.