Both surface and underground mass mining methods have generated increasing interest in recent years, as mining companies look to exploit large orebodies faster and more economically. Underground mining methods such as block, panel and sub-level caving continue to be the premier choice for deeply situated massive orebodies, thanks to the high potential production rates and low operating costs involved. Recent technological developments and improved solutions for designing, planning and modelling caving operations mean that these techniques can now be applied at greater depths, in more competent rock masses with greater geotechnical challenges than ever before.
