What is the purpose of a block caving pre-conditioning program?

The purpose of a block caving pre-conditioning program is to induce controlled fracturing within the orebody prior to the start of caving operations, facilitating easier and more predictable cave propagation, improving fragmentation, and increasing ore recovery. Block caving is an underground mining method that involves undercutting a large block of ore and allowing it to collapse under its own weight. Pre-conditioning is a process that weakens the orebody before caving is initiated, making it easier to break and cave. Pre-condi....