Determination of optimum extraction to maximize couping Quarry stone using discontinuity modeling (Case study of Travertine Kapul Mine)

Dimension stone reserves contains intact rock and discontinuity network. The intersection between discontinuities forms rock blocks with various geometry. Determination of rock blocks geometry is required in order to economical evaluation of stone reserves. Beside, extraction of stone blocks are preform by cutting planes, and the optimization of cutting pattern leads to increasing quarrying efficiency and decreasing production of waste in quarries. This procedure result less environmental damages and more economical beneficiations. The operation will reduce environmental impacts and increase economic interests. In this research, first, important features of discontinuities such as persistence, spacing, orientation, etc. have been extracted in the Kipul Quarry stone mine. then, using 3DEC simulation of the block model and using block modeling, different joint azimuth rotation was investigated in four classes. analyzing the results obtained from the modeling showed that in order to obtain maximum value, the current extraction direction must be 70 degrees west, which resulted in an average in situ block of 287.58cubic meters and the amount of coups sold in four classes 65826.27 cubic meters, which according to the current rate will generate about 115 billion and 98 million USD for this mine.