Backfilling underground voids
US6322292A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02W30/91
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for filling an underground void, such as a mine stope, without danger of causing mud slides therein, with the material being pumped from a site which is located remote from the void. A fluid, cementitious material is formed by mixing hydraulic cement, water, particulate solid material, and foam material. The bubble structure which results from incorporating the foam constituent in the fill material renders this much more fluid and pumpable, thereby allowing the use of much higher solids-to-water ratios than would otherwise be possible while still being able to pump the material over significant distances. This reduces the possibly of fluidic collapse of the material in the void, and produces other advantages as well. In the case of stopes, the particulate solid component is ordinarily provided using the tailings from the mine operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.