Lessons from 2 reticulation-induced shotcrete barricade failures in drift and fill mining

This case study investigates 2 paste wall failures that occurred during the tight filling stage in drift and fill mining, triggered by elevated reticulation pressures resulting from water and air flushing used to clear the distribution line. The sudden pressure spike caused by hydraulic surges exceeded the barricade’s structural capacity, leading to containment loss. Field data, paste rheology, and reticulation system dynamics were analysed to determine the root cause of the failures. Contributing factors included insufficient shotcrete on the barricade and lack of pressure relief during line flushing. The findings highlight the importance of managing transient pressures in paste delivery systems and provide recommendations for barricade design, reticulation and fill placement control, and operational procedures to reduce failure risk in similar applications.