Description

Deep mineral resources include ores, metallic minerals such as copper and iron; non-metallic minerals such as salt and gypsum; and hard rocks. Exploitation of these resources at depth will involve deep underground mining methods.

Category

Category of FEP

Geosynthesis

Sub-category

Sub-category of FEP

Human-induced events (beneath host rock)

Ondraf Niras FEP Number

Ondraf Niras FEP Number

10

FEP Effects

Description of FEP Effects

Exploratory drilling (see FEP 8). Perforation of the host rock. Excavation of deep access shafts and drifts, leading to changes in hydraulic properties and/or creation of preferential pathways. Removal of potentially large amounts of material at depth, leading to changes in stress field and stability; deformation of overlying rocks; possibly changes in geochemistry.

Reference(s)

References Relevant to FEP

RD&D Plan ER-186_I1

NEA TN2 IFEP Reference(s)

Related IFEPs from the NEA TN2 List of Proposed IFEP Revisions [NEA/RWM/R(2013)8]

1.4.6 Mining and other underground activities.