Evaluation of the Ore Dilution Using Percentage-Based and Equivalent Linear Overbreak Slough Approaches: Evidence from an Underground Copper Mine in Türkiye
Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s42461-026-01718-6
- Dergi Adı: Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: ELOS, Ore dilution, Percentage–based assessment, Underground mine
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
In this study, the ore dilution, one of the common challenges encountered during underground metal mining operations, was investigated at an underground copper mine in Türkiye. A comparative assessment was conducted between the conventionally used percentage-based dilution approach and the equivalent linear overbreak slough (ELOS) method, which has been increasingly recommended in the relevant literature recently. In this regards, detailed pre- and post-excavation measurements were obtained from production stopes using a cavity monitoring system (CMS), and both percentage dilution and wall-specific ELOS values were calculated from the reconstructed excavation geometries. The results demonstrate that the two approaches characterize different aspects of dilution. Percentage dilution quantifies the waste contribution relative to production and is therefore particularly relevant to reserve reconciliation, productivity, and economic assessment. In contrast, the ELOS quantifies the geometric extent of overbreak at individual excavation boundaries and provides spatial information on the source and severity of wall sloughage. The quantitative analysis further shows that wall-specific ELOS is related to dilution through the corresponding exposed wall area, overbreak volume, material density, and production tonnage. Consequently, similar ELOS values do not necessarily result in similar percentage dilution values. This is demonstrated by two hanging-wall-controlled stopes with comparable ELOS values (0.78 m and 0.73 m) and dilution tonnages (183.49 t and 193.05 t), but substantially different percentage dilution values (2.12% and 5.27%). Overall, the findings indicate that percentage dilution and ELOS should be considered complementary rather than directly interchangeable measures, with ELOS providing particularly useful information for evaluating excavation geometry, localized overbreak, and ground-control performance.