JCRM All rights reserved.

Volume 5, Number 2, April 2009, pp.63-68

[TECHNICAL NOTES]
Determination of stope geometry in jointed rock mass
at Pongkor Underground Gold Mine
Budi SULISTIANTO
*
, M. Safrudin SULAIMAN
**
, Ridho Kresna WATTIMENA
*
,
Achmad ARDIANTO
***
& Kikuo MATSUI
****

* Member of ISRM: Dept. of Mining Engineering, ITB, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
** Dept. of Mining Engineering, ITB, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
***PT Antam Tbk., Jakarta12530, Indonesia
**** Member of ISRM: Dept. of Earth Resources Eng., Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
Received 20 01 2009; accepted 16 04 2009
ABSTRACT
One of the stopes which is being mined by Pongkor Underground Gold Mine using cut-and-fill mining method is located in South
Ciurug Mine. The rock mass in this location is weak due to the extensive joint occurrence. In order to understand the effect of rock
joints to the stability of stope, an investigation was carried out by means of specific drilling from two crosscuts to acquire rock samples
from this location, and observing the joints orientation in the drilled holes wall using a borehole camera.
The stability of stope due to the extensive joints occurrence in this location was then analyzed by empirical and numerical methods.
Rock mass classification in this location was evaluated by RMR and Q-System method. Numerical analysis was carried out by
simulating models which represent the rock mass conditions, using 3DEC Program. The analysis was focused on the back of the stope,
due to the effects of joints existence in this location.
Keywords: Cut-and-fill underground mine, Rockfall, Stope-back, Jointed rock, Borehole camera, Underground stability analysis,
Numerical analysis
1. INTRODUCTION
Instability in an underground mine manifests itself
especially as rockfall from the roof or back of the opening. In an
underground mine located in jointed rock mass, rockfall is
formed in blocks due to the intersection of the joints (Hoek and
Brown, 1980). Rockfalls from unstable stope-back vary in size
from small blocks occurred between support units to huge
blocks as wide as the opening.
Pongkor Gold Mining Business Unit which belongs to PT
Antam Tbk is one of the underground gold mining sites which
implements cut-and-fill method. In this method, the ore body
being mined is located in stope, and the access to the stope is
through a crosscut from a ramp. The structure of ore body being
mined is commonly in a form of a vein body, which the
thickness varies from 7m to 15m. The general orientation
(strike/dip) of the vein ore body is N330
0
E/60-70
0
. The rock
mass condition in which the ore being mined is ranging from
fair to poor rock.
During the mining operation, stope failures (mostly rockfall
from stope-back) happened at certain locations. In one of the
stope located in South Ciurug mine, the rockfall occurred with
size of about 2mx2mx1.5m. The failure seemed to be controlled
by the intensive existence of joint along the ore body.
A special investigation was then carried out to grasp the
influence of the joint existence to the stability of the stope. The
investigation was located in Xcut-10 and Xcut-12 in South
Ciurug Mine. The investigation was carried out in a rock mass
located in a stope which was about to be mined through
boreholes drilled from a Xcut. The result of this investigation
was the position and orientation of each joint in the rock mass
penetrated by investigation boreholes.
The aim of this research is to analyze the stability of stope-
back due to the effect of joints existence based on the
investigation result. The analysis was carried out by means of
empirical and numerical methods. Rock mass classification in
this location was carried out by RMR and Q-System method
(Bieniawski, 1989). Rock support system required to stabilize
the stope-back was than determined based on the rock mass
classification. Numerical analysis was carried out by simulating
models which represent the rock mass condition and support
system, using 3DEC Program.
64 B. SULISTIANTO et al. / International Journal of the JCRM vol.5 (2009) pp.63-68
2. SITE INVESTIGATION
Location of this research was South Ciurug Mine that was
located in Level 500m. The rock mass in this location was
constituted by two main types of rocks, which are andesite in
sidewall rock (hanging-wall and footwall) and quartz as vein
ore body. The sidewall rock is generally strong and only few
joints were developed inside, while the vein ore body is
classified as poor rock and heavily jointed. Ground water
condition in this research area was dry to dump. Map showing
the research location and typical cross section of lithology in
this location are depicted together in Figure 1.
2.1. Horizontal and Inclined Drilling
Drilling was carried out to grasp the rock mass condition in
front of the crosscut where stope is to be mined. Bore holes
were drilled from two crosscuts within this research location,
which are Xcut-10 and Xcut-12. Two bore holes were drilled in
each crosscut with different orientation as can be seen in Figure
2 and Table 1.





















Figure 1. Research location and typical rock lithology













Figure 2. Drilling at research location
2.2. Laboratory Testing
Rock sample specimens obtained from the drilling were
tested in laboratory. The tests included physical and mechanical
properties test of the rock specimens. The mechanical properties
test consisted of Uniaxial Compressive Strength test for intact
rock sample and Direct Shear test for discontinuity plane. All
tests were conducted in Laboratory of Geomechanics,
Department of Mining Engineering ITB. The average values of
each test parameter was then determined, as listed in Table 2.

Table 1. Drilling orientation
Table 2. Physical and mechanical properties of rock
No Material

(gr/cm
3
)
E
(GPa)
v
C
(MPa)
|
(..
0
)
oc
(MPa)
1
Sidewall
Andesite
2.49 18.93 0.23 - - 104.06
2
Quartz
Vein
2.57 11.28 0.26 - - 32.59
3 Joint - - - 0.162 21.5 -
Note : : Rock Density C : Cohession
E : Youngs Modulus | : Angle of internal friction
v : Poissons Ratio c : UCS
2.3. Rock Quality Designation
Rock Quality Designation (RQD) which describes the rock
mass condition was obtained from core drilled from this
location. Core obtained from the drilling was usually in
fractured condition due to the extensive joint occurrence. The
rock masses in this research were then classified as poor rocks.
This assumption was verified by the RQD values which vary
from 10% to 96% and 15% to 73% for Xcut-10 and Xcut-12
respectively. RQD values obtained from this drilling showed



















Figure 3. Drill-core from Bore-hole GTC-02 at X cut-10
DH Location
Orientation
Remarks Depth (m) Trend
(N .. E)
Plunge
( ..)
GTC 1 Xcut-10 85 -5 Horizontal 15.70
GTC 2 Xcut-10 85 -40 Inclined 17.30
GTC 3 Xcut-12 85 -15 Horizontal 14.50
GTC 4 Xcut-12 85 -42 Inclined 14.05
Joint A
Joint B
Joint C
C
B. SULISTIANTO et al. / International Journal of the JCRM vol.5 (2009) pp.63-68 65

that the rock mass is in range of very poor to excellent condition.
Figure 3 shows the example core condition obtained from this
location.
2.4. Discontinuities Observation
To observe the joint existence along the borehole, special
equipment was used to grasp the joint position and the
orientation. A set of borehole camera apparatus was inserted
into borehole to capture image of joint along borehole. The
borehole camera equipment which was used during the
observation is shown in Figure 4.






Figure 4. Borehole camera apparatus
Each discontinuity images obtained from borehole camera
observation, was treated using the procedure proposed to
determine the orientation of each discontinuity (Sulistianto et.al.,
2007). As the result, the orientations of joint A, joint B, joint C
for example, from Fig. 3 are N110
0
E/47
0
, N030
0
E/56
0
and
N075
0
E/32
0
respectively. After all images were processed, and
the orientation of each discontinuity has been calculated, the
results are then plotted in the stereonet for further analysis.
The result of this observation showed that joint condition in
this location consists of three major discontinuity sets plus
random discontinuities both in Xcut-10 and Xcut-12. Figure 5
shows the result of the observation plotted in stereonet. Since
Xcut-12 located relatively in the upper part of Xcut-10 (figure
2), the joints showed in good persistence.







Figure 5. Discontinuity orientation at Xcut-10 (left) and Xcut-
12 (right)
3. STABILITY ANALYSIS OF STOPE-BACK
3.1. Empirical method
Stability analysis using empirical method was conducted to
estimate the support system required for the stope-back. Input
parameters for this calculation were obtained from both site
investigation and rock sample testing.
Based on the investigation carried out in the Xcut-10 and
the Xcut-12, it was revealed that the RMR values of the
andesite rock were 56 and 51 respectively. So, the rock masses
located in the footwall (Figure 1) were classified as fair rock
and will give no problem to the stability (Sulaiman, 2007).
The stability of the stope-back, which will be located in the
vein ore body in front of the Xcuts was approached by the rock
mass classification methods of RMR and Q Systems. Rock
classification was carried out based on the drill holes core data
to predict the rock mass condition in stope-back.
The RMR value of the vein ore body in front of Xcut-10
and Xcut-12 were 35.75 and 30.4, respectively. Therefore, the
vein ore body was classified as poor rock. Meanwhile, based on
Q-system, the obtained Q values were 0.43 and 0.40 for Xcut-
10 and Xcut-12 respectively (Sulaiman, 2007). For ensuring the
stability of the opening, determination of support system was
conducted by using both rock mass classification methods.
From RMR system, it is recommended that systematic bolt 4-
5m long, spaced 1-1.5m and shotcrete with thickness of about
10-15cm should be applied. While Q system suggested that
systematic untensioned bolting spaced 1m and mesh-reinforced
shotcrete with thickness of about 5cm should be applied.
Regarding to the mine opening, however, the recommended
support system by both rock mass classification methods was
considered to be over-confidence. The recommended support is
suitable for the long term usage of underground opening, such
as underground civil construction. In an underground cut and
fill mining, which applies overhand stoping method, stope
which will be mined only act as temporary opening, and only
need simple support system to ensure the opening stability.
After the extraction, the empty stope will be filled with slurry
and then mining operation move to the higher level. More
support installed on the stope-back, would create more
disturbance during mining operation sequence in the upper level.
Consequently, support system which will be used must be as
simple as possible but strong enough to stabilize the opening.
In this underground mining operation, the only support
system which can be accepted in the stope was combination of
friction bolt, wired mesh and W-strap. Bolt spacing obtained
from empirical recommendation and used as rule of thumb in
this area was 1m.
3.2. Numerical method
Numerical method was carried to evaluate the performance
of support system recommended by the empirical method.
Numerical software used in this research was 3DEC
(3Dimensional Distinct Element Code). This software is a three
dimensional software which allow to model the discontinuities
in the rock mass.
The discontinuities in the ore body model are joints
obtained through borehole camera investigation inside two bore
holes from each crosscut. Figure 6 shows the discontinuities
around the vein body located above the stope which were about
to be mined. While the rock mass parameters used in the model
is shown in Table 3.
66 B. SULISTIANTO et al. / International Journal of the JCRM vol.5 (2009) pp.63-68
Support system implemented in the model consisted of axial
bolt and w-strap whereas wire mesh was not included in the
model, due to the limitation of the program. The axial bolts of
2m length were placed vertically at stope-back with spacing of
1m. W-straps were modeled as thin plate which tied the bolts in
each row. Mechanical characteristic of both support are showed
in Table 4 and Table 5. Series of calculation were carried out by
simulating the bolt spacing from 2m to 0.5m. In order to
evaluate the stability of the stope opening, vertical deformation
from particular points (points 1 to 9) located in the stope-back
of the stope were then observed.
Table 3. Rock Parameters used for Numerical Calculation
No Material

(gr/cm
3
)
E
(GPa)
v
K
(GPa)
G
(GPa)
1
Sidewall
Andesite
2.49 18.93 0.23 11.69 7.70
2
Quartz
Vein
2.57 11.28 0.26 7.83 4.48

C
(MPa)
|
(..
0
)
Jkn
(GPa/m)
Jks
(GPa/m)

3 Joint 0.162 21.5 1 1 -
Note : : Rock Density C : Cohession
E : Youngs Modulus | : Angle of internal friction
v : Poissons Ratio Jkn : Normal Joint Stiffness
G : Shear Modulus Jks : Shear Joint Stiffness
K : Bulk Modulus







Figure 6. Discontinuity model at x-cut-10 (left) and x-cut-12
(right)
The result showed that vertical movement of the stope-back,
which indicates instability, still occurred on spacing more than
1m. Therefore the bolt spacing was narrowed. Figure 7 shows
the result of numerical modeling using 1m bolt spacing.
By using 1m bolt spacing, the vertical movement was
around 5 cm at stope-back in front of Xcut-10. Even though few
small blocks still moved down, however, catastrophic
movement can be avoided. Initial deformation occurred at the
beginning, as the result of rock-support interaction, however
after reaching computational step of 6000, vertical deformation
tended to be constant, around 5cm at point 7 (see Figure 7 lower
left).
Table 4. Mechanical properties of rock bolt
47 mm Bolt Minimum Typical
Yield Strength 345MPa 120kN 445MPa 160kN
Ultimate Tensile Strength of Tube 460MPa 165kN 510MPa 180kN
Friction Bolt Diameter 47mm
Hole Diameter Range 43mm min/45.5mm max
Mass per Meter 2.79kg
Cross Section Area 355mm
2

Meanwhile, at a stope-back of stope in front of Xcut-12,
with spacing of 1m, there were blocks which still moved down.
It also can be seen in the vertical deformation graph that some
blocks moved down whereas others tend to reach stability after
giving large movement (see Figure 7 lower right). Though the
number of the loosen blocks are small, but the size of individual
blocks were significant. So it is important to note that the
stability of the opening in this location can be obtained by
reducing the spacing. Another model was developed by 0.75cm
bolt spacing. The result showed that smaller deformation was
obtained (around 5mm at point 3 and 4) as shown in Figure 8.
Table 5. Mechanical properties of w-strap
NOMINAL
WIDTH
TYPICAL WEIGHT
PER METER
MATERIAL
GRADE
TYPICAL YIELD
STRENGTH
mm Kg kN
240 3.78
AS/NZS 1594
Gr.HA350
164
3.3. Determination of optimum stope geometry
Geometry of unsupported stope-back can be estimated from
stability chart developed by Potvin (Huchkinson and Diederichs,
1996) based upon the calculated stability number N(see
equation 1) and the calculated shape factor or hydraulic radius
(see equation 3).
C B A Q N = ' ' ................................................................(1)
(

=
a
r
n
J
J
J
RQD
Q'
................................................................(2)
Where J
n
, J
r
and J
a
were joint set number, joint roughness
number and joint alteration number from Q-system
respectively. While A, B and C were correction factors
which considers the relation of intact rock strength and insitu
stress, the relative angle between dominant discontinuity
orientation and excavation, and the gravity effect to the
stability of excavation surface respectively.
Hydraulic radius of surface analysed = area /perimeter .. (3)

Using rock parameter used for calculating Q values
mentioned above and considering that excavation is carried out
at around 200m below the surface and also the maximum insitu
stress resulted from measurement is around 4 MPa (Sulistianto
et.al., 2003), the stability number N calculation is given in
Table 6.
Table 6. Stability Number (N) Calculation
Parameter
Xcut-10 Xcut-12
Description Rating Description Rating
RQD 51.6 51.6 48 48
Jn
Three Sets +
Random
12
Three Sets +
Random
12
Jr Rough, Undulating 3 Rough, Undulating 3
Ja
Zone of
disintegrated
12
Zone of
disintegrated
12
Jw Minor inflow 1 Minor inflow 1
SRF
Low Stress, Near
Surface
2.5
Low Stress, Near
Surface
2.5
Q RQD/JnxJr/JaxJw/SRF 0.43 RQD/JnxJr/JaxJw/SRF 0.4
Q 1.075 1.000
A c/1 = 32.59/4 0.8 c/1 = 32.59/4 0.8
B = 45 0.5 = 45 0.5
C Stope back 2 Stope back 2
N 0.86 0.8
B. SULISTIANTO et al. / International Journal of the JCRM vol.5 (2009) pp.63-68 67













































Figure 7. Numerical model result of stope in x-cut-10 and x-cut-12 by using 1m bolt spacing













Figure 8. Vertical deformation at stope-back of x-cut-12 by
using 0.75m bolt spacing
By assuming that the width of the opening was constant at
10m, which was general vein width in this location, and the
height of opening was 4-5m considering the height of Jumbo-
drill, the hydraulic radius of stope-back was then calculated
based upon the simulated length of unsupported excavation
from 4m to 100m and the result were plotted in Potvin stability
chart as can be seen in Figure 9 and Table 7. The result showed
that the stope-back will be in safe condition within area of
10mx4m.

4. DISCUSSION

Based on the result of stability analysis and considering
mining operation which applied overhand cut and fill stoping
method, the support system which is combination of friction
68 B. SULISTIANTO et al. / International Journal of the JCRM vol.5 (2009) pp.63-68
bolt 2m long spaced 1m, W-strap and wire-mesh is still able to
be applied in the level of Xcut-10. However, bolt spacing
should be changed to 0.75m if mining operation in the level of
Xcut-12 is started.
















Figure 9. Stability chart of research area
Table 7. Stope condition related to opening geometry
S
t
o
p
e

W
i
d
t
h

(
m
)

S
p
a
n

W
i
d
t
h
o
u
t

S
u
p
p
o
r
t

(
m
)

H
y
d
r
a
u
l
i
c

R
a
d
i
u
s

(
m
)

Remarks
Xcut 10 Xcut 12
10 4 1.4 Stable Stable
10 8 2.2 Transition Zone Transition Zone
10 12 2.7 Transition Zone Transition Zone
10 16 3.1 Transition Zone Transition Zone
10 20 3.3 Transition Zone Transition Zone
10 40 4.0 Transition Zone Transition Zone
10 80 4.4 Transition Zone Transition Zone
10 100 4.5 Transition Zone Transition Zone









Figure 10. Stope-back is supported by friction bolt, w-strap,
wire-mesh and cribbing
It is obtained from optimum stope geometry calculation
that unsupported stope-back which is still safe to be mined
would be 10mx4m. It is in a good agreement with practical
condition which has excavation progress around 3m span due to
2.4m length of blastholes drilled by Jumbo-drill, and the
opening is in stable condition. Even though stable condition,
after 1 hour smoke-clearing activity the miners do scaling
immediately at the stope-back and then continued by
installation of 2m long of friction bolt using 1m spacing. In
order to protect the rockfall, w-strap and wire mesh is also
installed. For anticipating the inconsistency of vein width due to
mineralization process, timbering system (called Cribbing) is
sometimes applied if the width of vein becomes wider (> 10m)
as shown in Figure 10.
5. CONCLUSION
Rock mass condition in this location, especially in the stope
which was about to be mined was classified as poor rock, due to
extensively developed joint in the rock mass. Suitable support
system which has been confirmed by numerical method and can
be practically used considering the operation constrain would be
2m long frictional bolt with spacing of 1m at Xcut-10 and
0.75m at Xcut-12, w-strap, and wire mesh.
The optimum stope geometry, which is still safe to be
mined, considering the vein rock mass conditions would be of
10m by 4m area of unsupported stope-back during operation.
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge PT. Antam, Tbk,
UBPE Pongkor management for the possibility and opportunity
to conduct this study, and Puslitbang TEKMIRA management
for their help using the 3DEC calculation. The authors also
thanks to the members of Geomechanics Laboratory,
Department of Mining Engineering ITB for their help.
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Wiley & Sons, New York.
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Huchkinson, D.J. and Diederichs, M.S., 1996,Cablebolting in
Underground Mines, BiTech Publishers Ltd., Manitoba
Sulaiman, M.S.,2007, Analysis of Stope Stability by Considering the
Discontinuities Resulted from Observation Activity at South
Ciurug Mine Area, Pongkor Underground Gold Mine, PT. Antam
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rd

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