Mining in Manitoba

Square-Set Mining

Engineering Considerations

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The square-set method is used where the ore is weak, and the walls are not strong enough to support themselves. The value of the ore must be relatively high, for square-setting is slow, expensive, and requires highly skilled miners and supervisors. In square-set stoping, one small block of ore is removed and replaced by a "set" or cubic frame of timber which is immediately set into place.
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The timber sets interlock and are filled with broken waste rock or sand fill, for they are not strong enough to support the stope walls. The waste rock or sand fill is usually added after one tier of sets, or stope cut, is made.