Cave Mining

Caving is a massive mining method, well suited for disseminated orebodies, which is being considered for increasingly deep, larger, stronger and heterogeneous mining projects around the world.

These challenging conditions increase the risk of stranded reserves in overhangs, cave stalling and air-blasts, infrastructure rehabilitation or loss, and large-scale induced subsidence.

For many years, ITASCA has been at the forefront of cave mine engineering, having pioneered the development of industry-leading tools applied at many block, panel, and sub-level caving operations and projects worldwide. Our tools and work have been validated through direct comparison with observed and predicted behaviors.

The geomechanical analyses that ITASCA offers are critical to understand and predict aspects such as:

ITASCA´s extensive experience as software developers has allowed us to implement all aspects of caving analysis within a variety of proprietary tools, such as:

  • FLAC3D or 3DEC for 3D stress-strain analysis, including the IMASS constitutive model (Itasca Model for Advanced Strain Softening).
  • Griddle for 3D meshing and model construction.
  • IMAT for microseismic interpretation.
  • MINEDW for 3D numerical hydrogeology analysis.
  • XSite for hydraulic fracturing analysis.

We also use third-party codes like CAVESIM, based on a cellular automata formulation.

Services in Caving Geomechanics (EN)
Servicios en Geomecánica Aplicada a Minería por Hundimiento (ESP)

Latest News
  • ITASCA Strengthens North American Delivery of Integrated Geomechanics and Hydrogeology Solutions Drawing on decades of geomechanical and hydrogeological expertise, ITASCA has announced the formation of ITASCA...
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  • WEBINAR: Solving Geothermal Challenges with XSite Numerical Modeling ITASCA Software and Baker Hughes are hosting a collaborative webinar to demonstrate how combining advanced...
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  • Twin Ports Interchange Project Named Winner of ACEC/MN Grand Award Innovative ground improvement strategy secures long-term stability for the region's busiest artery for commerce and...
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Upcoming Events
11 Aug
ITASCA Joins Caving 2026 as a Main Sponsor
We are pleased to announce that ITASCA will be participating as a Main Sponsor in Caving 2026, the leading international conference ded... Read More
15 Sep
ITASCA at EUROCK 2026: Advancing Innovation in Rock Engineering
ITASCA is pleased to announce its participation in EUROCK 2026 – ISRM Regional Symposium, taking place from 15–19 September 2026 in Sko... Read More
20 Sep
ITASCA to Participate in CouFrac 2026
ITASCA will be participating in CouFrac 2026, taking place from 20–23 September 2026 in Uppsala, Sweden. The conference brings together... Read More