Author 1:
Name & Surname: Louchnikov V. N.
Company: AMC Mining Consultants (Vancouver, Canada)
Work Position: Principal Mining Engineer

Author 2:
Name & Surname: Pitman W.
Company: AMC Mining Consultants (Vancouver, Canada)
Work Position: Director

Author 3:
Name & Surname: Eremenko V. A.
Company: Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources—IPKON, Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow, Russia)
Work Position: Principal Researcher
Scientific Degree: Doctor of Engineering Sciences
Contacts: eremenko@ngs.ru

For estimation of ground control efficiency and detection of gaps on geological and geomechanical control in an underground mine, this article presents a review of international experience gained in geomechanical auditing in underground mines in Australia, Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, South America and Africa. The goal of the geomechanical audit is to make certain that the ground control in a mine is efficient and consistent with international standards. To this effect, the geological conditions in an underground mine are analyzed along different lines of research. The audit results are delivered as a rating of consistency with the mining standards. Based on the analysis outcomes, the consistency coefficient is determined. The rating is given relative to the audit as a whole and relative to its individual sections. As a result, the gaps are indentified in the geotechnical control in a mine, and the relevant recommendations are made on removal of shortcomings per each gap. The geomechanical audit should be performed not less than once every three years. Usually, independent experts are invited to visit a mine for two–three days in order to have a look at the mine paperworks and to interview technical personnel and key employees such as director, geomechanics engineer, section foremen, etc. Furthermore, internal checks should be practices when geomechanics engineers of a company implement cross-audit at production units within the company. Such checks are not the guilty party hunting. It is extremely important that personnel talk sincerely and openly with an auditor since this is directly related with the mine safety, which is of concern for everyone on the staff. From the auditing experience, it is positive that low safety of mining generally ensues from systemic problems rather than from activity or inactivity of mine personnel. The geomechanical audit aims at disclosure of such problems.

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