A life-size mining stope panel was handed over to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) School of Mining Engineering by mine support technology company New Concept Mining (NCM) on March 6, to assist students in learning about stoping activities through real-life visualisation.

The R250 000 stope panel sponsored by NCM is part of a range of simulated facilities, including a mine tunnel, mine shaft steelwork and a lamp room, sponsored and developed at the school’s premises on West Campus, in partnership with companies active in the mining sector, such as Aveng, Gold Fields and Sibanye Gold.

“We are delighted to add this new facility to our school’s resources and are grateful to be partnering with far-sighted stakeholders like NCM who share our dedication to skills and technology development,” newly appointed Wits School of Mining Engineering head Professor Cuthbert Musingwini said at the handover.

At 7 m long, the model stope was constructed using a metal framework, mesh and concrete, and is the work of sculptor Russell Scott. He used various materials and techniques, including hand-packed cement, and layers of paint to achieve the realistic effect of a working stope face in an underground platinum mine.

The panel dips 10°, has a stoping width of 1 m and extends 3 m on strike. It has been equipped with various types of support infrastructure to demonstrate to students the variety of technologies employed underground. These include timber props, timber packs, rockbolts and safety nets suspended near the working face.

NCM contributed roof support equipment from its own range of products and from other sources. It is also making available some of its electronic monitoring and warning devices in the stope, augmenting the school’s focus on digital, remote monitoring technologies to enhance safety on mines.

Like the recently completed model mine tunnel, the stope panel is situated in the basement of the School of Mines premises, incorporating one of the building’s beams as a geological feature.

Former Wits School of Mines head Professor Fred Cawood initiated the stope panel construction as part of his digital mine research at Wits, with the ‘digital mine’ environment bringing a real mine experience to mining engineering students at Wits.

“While mine visits are arranged from time to time, this facility gives easy access to students – so that they can visualise and test what they are studying theoretically.”

In addition, the facility will also be made available to Wits’ research students.