Numerical modelling has been widely used to analyze the various type of issues related to the underground mining and tunnelling: subsidence induced by longwall coal mining; stresses computation around longwall coal face etc.
In my personal experience I have used deposit modelling to optimise the raw material output. Numerical modelling can also be done in designing quarry slopes, benches and tailing piles. These are very practical applications to make a mine a safe place to work, to reduce the cost and to increase the output.
Now a day the numerical analysis offer many simulations of mining technologies used in mining practices. My recommend is if you use sophisticated numerical analysis than check results with adequate in situ measurements.
I agree with Tingchang Yin.
Modern calculation tools allow evaluations and in-depth analysis that were unthinkable up to a few years ago. However the models respond according to the input they receive. So the path must always follow an evaluation of the aspects from the general to the particular, from the simple to the sophisticated.
Once the general behavior has been understood, it is necessary to define the geotechnical / geomechanical model of the rock mass. So first of all: does modeling have to be in the context of the continuous or the discontinuous? (the discontinuous is always neglected, but it is the collapses of rock wedges that cause fatal accidents)
Then: what data do I have available? Do I have information on the stress state?( in the mining sector the Sigma H / sigmaV ratio is hardly equal to 1)
Once this has been defined, it is possible to carry out analyzes, which will then be compared, as Mr. Likar says, with on-site measurements, so as to update the model, if necessary, in order to make the most of the resource (Mr. Kumarage goal).
Bye