Yield pillars have been used in mining for many years to reduce stresses near mine openings, to allow higher resource recovery at depth and to minimize surface subsidence effects. Their application has led to successful and unsuccessful results. In some mines, yield pillars were abandoned because of poor ground conditions. It became obvious that yield pillars needed the right combination of strength and stiffness in the materials composing the overburden, roof, pillar and floor for successful results. When this was present, considerable safety and economic benefits were attained.
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