Abstract: In order to study the mechanism of rock mass caving and movement during the mining of gently inclined thick orebody,a field study was performed to evaluate the characteristics of rock caving and movement of the overlying strata during the mining process. Numerical simulations were performed to analyze the fracture propagation,stress evolution,and the development of damage characteristics of the overlying strata under the influence of joints. The research results show that the rock mass caving is characterized by a slow-rapid alternating arch fall. The severity of rock caving is positively related to the development of caving. The surface horizontal deformation mainly shows a wavy change,and the maximum horizontal deformation on the hanging wall is about 1.4 to 1.9 times that of the footwall,the maximum settlement value near the transport road is about 32.5 mm. The settlement center shifted upwards in an asymmetrical manner during the late mining period,and the settlement rate gradually decreased. Rock mass caving is caused by tensile and shear cracks intersecting along joints and intact rock bridges,it is divided into slip damage area and dump failure area,the periodic evolution of the stress arch is the main reason for the change of the caving process. The ground settlement is affected by joints and mining spans. The deflection of the fracture angle,which is dominated by the destruction of the hanging wall,is the main reason for the settlement center to move to the hanging wall. During the future mining process,there is a risk of large-scale settlement and collapse at the surface of the hanging wall. However,the proposed measures for controlling rock movement of collapsed rockfills can achieve effective maintenance of transportation roads.