System and method for aggregate disposal

A system for disposing of aggregate material in a mine cavern between a mine ceiling and a mine floor, the system comprising:

• a first pump for pumping water from the cavern;
• a second pump for pumping emulsion to the cavern;
• a gated proportioning mechanism;
• and
• a water line extending between the first and second pumps and being accessible at the gated proportioning mechanism such that aggregate in the gated proportioning mechanism is introduced into the water line to form the emulsion;
• wherein the second pump is configured such that the emulsion is pumped into the cavern at a pressure between about 20 pounds per square inch and about 30 pounds per square inch and settles on the mine floor in a pile having an angle of repose between about 1:1.5 and about 1:3.5, the pressure being insufficient to fracture the mine floor and insufficient to fracture the mine ceiling.

A system for practicing a method of disposing aggregate material in a mine cavern between a mine ceiling and a mine floor such that the aggregate material settles on the mine floor in a pile having an angle of repose between about 1:1.5 to about 1:3.5, the system comprising:

• a first pump for pumping water from the cavern;
• a second pump for pumping emulsion to the cavern;
• a water line extending between the first and second pumps;
• and
• a gated proportioning mechanism through which the aggregate is introduced into the line to form the emulsion with the water from the cavern;
• wherein the second pump is configured such that the emulsion is pumped into the cavern at a rate between about 80 tons of aggregate material per hour and about 140 tons of aggregate material per hour and at a pressure between about 20 pounds per square inch and about 30 pounds per square inch and settles on the mine floor in a pile having an angle of repose between about 1:1.5 and about 1:3.5, the pressure being insufficient to fracture the mine floor and insufficient to fracture the mine ceiling.