US 12,435,630 B2
Method and apparatus for use in stope backfill mining
Adam Beswick, Queensland (AU)
Assigned to M2P ENGINEERING PTY LTD, Queensland (AU)
Filed by M2P ENGINEERING PTY LTD, Queensland (AU)
Filed on Sep. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/243,743.
Application 18/243,743 is a continuation of application No. PCT/AU2022/050186, filed on Mar. 7, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2021900649 (AU), filed on Mar. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0417142 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. E21F 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC E21F 15/02 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for use in stope backfill mining, the method comprising:
providing an expandable void forming apparatus at a lower level relative to an unexcavated stope, wherein a portion of the expandable void forming apparatus extends beyond an edge of the unexcavated stope and into a void formed by excavation of an adjacent stope;
providing an expandable barrier member configured to extend upwardly from the expandable void forming apparatus from or adjacent a lower level relative to an unexcavated towards an upper level relative to the unexcavated stope;
expanding the void forming apparatus, such that a substantially liquid-impermeable seal is formed between the void forming apparatus and the unexcavated stope;
expanding the barrier member such that a substantially liquid-impermeable seal is formed between the barrier member and the unexcavated stope;
pouring backfill material into the void, and allowing the backfill material to at least partially cure such that i) the void forming apparatus forms a passage between the unexcavated stope and the backfill material, and ii) the barrier member forms a slot void between the unexcavated stope and the backfill material;
contracting the barrier member and removing the barrier member from the slot void; and
contracting the void forming apparatus and removing the void forming apparatus from the passage.
 
17. A system for use in stope backfill mining, the apparatus comprising:
a void forming apparatus including:
an inflatable member;
an outer layer at least partially surrounding the inflatable member,
wherein the inflatable member is inflatable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition in which the void forming apparatus forms a substantially continuous void forming surface; and
a barrier member including:
an elongate inflatable member; and
an elongate outer layer at least partially surrounding the elongate inflatable member,
wherein the elongate inflatable member is inflatable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition in which the barrier member forms a substantially continuous elongate slot void forming surface.