Seismicity evolution and rockburst control in the Merensky Reef and UG2 orebody: An intermediate depth platinum mine case study

Masethe R.T. Durapraj S. Maqina U. Adoko A.C.
2025 South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy

Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
2025 #125 Issue 1 51 - 60 pp.

This study investigates seismicity and rockburst control within the Merensky Reef and UG2 orebody of an intermediate-depth platinum mine located in South Africas Bushveld Complex. Utilising a mine-wide seismic monitoring system, over 1,900 seismic events were recorded between April 2023 and May 2024, revealing complex seismic patterns driven by mining-induced stress changes. The largest event, with a magnitude of ML 2.0, underscores the seismic risks associated with mining at increasing depths. Key findings include the spatial and temporal variability of seismic events, with high seismic activity observed near pillars and geological structures. A significant portion of events correlated with pillar and foundation failures. Moment tensor analysis identified dominant failure modes, such as stress-driven fracture closures and dynamic pillar failures. To mitigate risks, the study emphasises advanced support system redesign and rockburst risk assessment using the rockburst damage potential (RDP) method. The research highlights the importance of monitoring, geotechnical compliance, and adaptive designs in enhancing safety and reducing seismic hazards in underground mining operations. The study applied the RDP framework, classifying damage across R1 to R5 scales, where most instances fell into low-risk categories (R1 and R3), indicating minor to moderate damage. However, data limitations and the tabular stoping methods complexity led to inconclusive results, highlighting the need for more robust data and customised risk assessment tools. Despite these challenges, the RDP approach provided valuable insights into rockburst mechanisms and the effectiveness of existing support systems.

forecast , hazard , monitoring , risk , rockburst , seismic event

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College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZuluNatal, Westville, Durban, South Africa
Rock Engineering Department, Sibanye Stillwater PGM, Rustenburg, South Africa
School of Mining and Geoscience, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan

College of Agriculture
Rock Engineering Department
School of Mining and Geoscience

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