Patent ID: 8424973
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: E21C

Abstract:
1. A method of mining a valuable metal or material in an ore body comprising the steps of: (a) placing a cushion in a stope, wherein the cushion creates a void into which fragmented rock can expand during subsequent blasting operations for a second or subsequent panel, wherein the cushion comprises a housing surrounding a fluid-tight inner container; and (b) maintaining the void until blasting operations occur, wherein the void is caused to collapse to accommodate fragmented ore generated during blasting operations; wherein the ore body is accessible via upper and lower spaced-apart access located at different levels and the cushion is dimensioned such that the length of the cushion is not less than 80%, not less than 85%, not less than 90% or not less than 95% of the distance between the floor of the upper drive and the ceiling of the lower drive.