Dear Junior Pyakara please do recommend my asnwer if helpful.
As of my last knowledge in this, the Porgera gold mine, located in the Enga Province of Papua New Guinea, primarily utilized open-pit mining methods. However, there were plans to transition to underground mining operations. While I don't have access to real-time data, here are some common underground mining methods that could potentially be used at Porgera Mine or similar operations:
1. **Block Caving**: In this method, large underground blocks of ore are undercut to induce caving, allowing the ore to break and be extracted by gravity. Block caving is often used for large, low-grade ore bodies.
2. **Sublevel Caving**: Similar to block caving, sublevel caving involves creating horizontal tunnels (sublevels) within the ore body. Ore is then blasted and allowed to cave, with ore extracted from the bottom of the cave.
3. **Sublevel Stoping**: This method involves mining ore in a series of horizontal slices, or sublevels, within a vertical ore body. Sublevel stoping is suitable for ore bodies with moderate to high dip angles.
4. **Cut and Fill**: In cut and fill mining, ore is extracted in horizontal slices, leaving behind temporary supports (fills) to prevent cave-ins. Once a slice is mined, the area is filled with waste material, and the process is repeated.
5. **Room and Pillar**: Room and pillar mining involves creating a network of rooms (open spaces) separated by pillars of ore or waste rock. This method is suitable for ore bodies with relatively flat or gently dipping formations.
6. **Longwall Mining**: While primarily used for coal mining, longwall mining could be adapted for certain types of underground gold mining operations. In longwall mining, a long wall of coal or ore is mined in a single slice using a shearer, and roof supports are installed as the face advances.
It's essential to note that the selection of underground mining methods depends on various factors, including the geometry of the ore body, rock conditions, ore grade, and economic considerations. For the most accurate information on the specific underground mining methods used at Porgera Mine, I recommend consulting recent reports, publications, or official statements from the mine operator or relevant authorities.
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