1. Introduction
The Pulang Copper Deposit is a large porphyry copper deposit located in the northeast of Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest Yunnan Province. It is a typical representative of large porphyry copper deposits [
1,
2,
3,
4]. In this mining area, the formation lithology is relatively single, the ore reserves are large, the ore material composition is simple and the ore grade is low, the ore body is thick and shallow, the inclination is almost vertical, and the ore body has good overall collapsibility and continuity, and can form continuous caving; thus, natural caving mining can be adopted for mining [
5,
6,
7,
8]. Natural caving mining is a process whereby rock mass caving occurs with the help of gravity. This process occurs in the excavation space, whereby the weak structural plane of the ore body itself, under the influence of gravity and secondary tectonic stress, gradually breaks and begins to cave. The appropriate amount of ore is released, causing the upper ore rock to cave until the final stage or surface collapse [
9,
10,
11,
12,
13]. The mining area exhibits a general westward inclination, with a noticeable high-northwest and low-southeast topography. Following the natural caving of the underground ore body, the overall topography of high-northwest and low-southeast remains unchanged. Moreover, the surface of the mine caving area is covered with thick glacial debris; during the natural caving mining process, the surface collapses to a certain extent, causing the surface glacial debris layer to deform and crack, forming a collapse pit. This pit provides favorable conditions for the formation of underground glacial debris recharge debris flow. During times of continuous heavy rainfall, the surface glacial debris become saturated with water, transitioning from a naturally consolidated dry state to a fluid state. Consequently, they flow into the mine outlet under the force of gravity, resulting in debris flow disasters [
14,
15]. These disasters significantly impede the safe production of Pulang Copper Mine. Therefore, it is essential to carry out in situ grouting to consolidate the surface glacial debris in the mining area, forming a water-resistant consolidated layer with sufficient mechanical strength. This measure ensures the safe production of the mining area.
Currently, the majority of research on glacial debris conducted both domestically and internationally focuses on the geomorphology of glacial debris, the engineering properties of glacial debris, and the causes and prevention of natural geological debris flow disasters caused by surface glacial debris [
16,
17]. Within the field of loose accumulation strengthening in engineering work environments, the flower tube grouting method is highly regarded. Zhang Yufang et al. [
18] conducted a study on the application and effectiveness of multi-stage grouting steel pipe pile group structural reinforcement technology on slopes. Ma Xiangfeng et al. [
19] conducted a study on the deformation behavior of roadbeds and the application of steel pipe grouting reinforcement technology in sand and gravel strata through numerical simulation and field data monitoring and analysis. Their research achieved a relatively ideal reinforcement effect. However, these results primarily focus on grouting technology research, with the grouting process primarily applied to loose accumulation bodies. Currently, there is a lack of research on grouting technology and grouting materials in different dense geological conditions, particularly regarding grouting materials suitable for the characteristics of glacial debris. On the other hand, research on curing agents for consolidating common soil and wind-blown sand has made significant progress, with numerous research findings available [
20,
21,
22]. Traditional materials such as lime and cement are widely used as components of these curing agents for soil reinforcement. However, when applied to the surface layer of glacial debris in the mining area of Pulang Copper Deposit, these materials exhibit notable limitations and drawbacks, including poor injectivity, low strength of the consolidated body, and inadequate water stability.
Glacial debris is a non-stratified glacial sedimentary soil composed of clay, silt, sand, gravel, and drift materials. Its mineral composition primarily consists of silicate minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and chlorite, with SiO
2 and Al
2O
3 as the main chemical components. Long-term geological conditions have led to significant weathering of glacial debris’ mineral constituents, resulting in the presence of amorphous minerals with certain hydration activity [
23]. In terms of physical properties, glacial debris is characterized by a wide grain gradation, highly uneven particle sizes, a lack of sorting, high compactness, complex structure, occasional local overhead phenomenon, and large differences in mechanical characteristics [
24,
25,
26]. Consequently, the surface layer formed by glacial debris deposition exhibits low porosity, small void diameters, and a significant presence of gravel, which further contributes to the non-uniformity of the glacial debris. Therefore, an effective grouting curing agent should possess high injectivity and the ability to hydrate with the amorphous mineral components on the surface of the glacial debris. This will enable the glacial debris components to undergo gelation, thus improving the strength and water stability of the consolidated body.
According to the surface characteristics and engineering requirements of the glacial debris in Pulang Copper Deposit, Yunnan, China, three compound glacial debris curing agents were developed by adjusting the composition materials of cement-based curing agents. The rheological properties of these curing agents, which impact in situ grouting, were evaluated. Additionally, engineering properties such as the shear resistance, water stability, and permeability of the consolidated glacial debris body were tested. Microcosmic tests were conducted to analyze the mechanism of hydration and consolidation, thereby assessing the gelling effect of the curing agent on the glacial debris. This research offers a cost-effective solution to address the issue of debris flow resulting from surface glacial debris collapse in the mining area of Pulang Copper Deposit. Furthermore, it provides a theoretical foundation for the research and development of glacial debris curing agents and performance optimization.