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Studies seek ways to prevent falls-of-ground accidents at mines

30th September 2016

By: Ilan Solomons

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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A series of implementation projects were carried out between 2012 and 2015 by global engineering consultancy SRK through the Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee with funds from the Mine Health and Safety Council (MSHC) to establish a risk-based support design methodology for rock engineering practitioners in the platinum sector.

The most recent project, SIM140201, was initiated in 2014 and completed in November 2015. The project targeted a large number of rock engineering practitioners with the objective of implementing research outcomes and developing skills within the industry in line with the requirements of the Mining Charter.

SRK engineering geologist Denisha Sewnun explains that the risk-based support design method is intended to address falls-of-ground-related risks in narrow tabular underground mines located in structurally controlled rock masses.

She notes that the method was developed as part of the SRK and MHSC research project – SIM060201 TrackB – which was completed in 2011. It produced an analytical tool to integrate rock-related hazard potential (falls of ground) with consequences and present a support design as a function of risk.

Sewnun remarks that the concept of risk-based support design remains relatively new in the industry, with the first implementation project, SIM120201, completed in 2013, meeting with variable success and prompting a continuation of the transfer initiative, namely SIM140201.

She says the outcomes of the latter project showed a “significant improvement”, demonstrating a willingness and capability among practitioners to develop and apply technologically driven solutions to rockfall management at their operations.

However, Sewnun points out that, in spite of improved success, several challenges, such as availability of resources, presented “serious obstacles” to the execution of designs.

She highlights that risk-based support design remains a relatively new approach to presenting solutions to rockfall risk management in mining. However, Sewnun comments that, as the relevance of risk-based support design grows within the industry, the introduction of technological methods and the development of associated skills to provide sound, meaningful solutions to the industry remain a priority.

In narrow tabular underground mining in a structurally driven rock mass environment where falls of ground are a top risk that must be managed, such as in the platinum sector, where the project has been focused, risk-based support design is “an ideal tool” for integrating falls-of-ground potential with consequential outcomes as it assists in the selection of appropriate designs for an operation.

“This project continued to develop skills and present a technically sound method for achieving risk-based support designs. The results were significantly improved over the first project.” However, Sewnun notes that the challenges that face a practitioner present “serious obstacles” to ongoing skills development and the implementation of technical solutions to rock-related risk management.

She remarks that the most important challenges that a practitioner must overcome to carry out the required data capturing and, hence, risk-based support design, are limited face time or underground availability and suitable tools and technology.

Therefore, Sewnun believes that, to overcome these restrictions, the purpose and requirements of rock engineering practitioners must be understood by all “vested parties”, including operational management and mining crew workers. “In this way, a collective, integrated objective can be achieved by combining skills and technical resources with practical, economically feasible, safe and productive implementation.”

She emphasises that the relevance of technology transferral projects such as this remains of “paramount importance” as they provide the industry with an invaluable service as regards skills development and the introduction of new technology.

Further, Sewnun notes that, through these projects, obstacles to effective adoption of the technology and limitations of the technology are revealed, thereby exposing areas where further research and intervention are required.

Sewnun presented this paper on behalf of SRK principal rock engineer Jeanne Walls at the recent Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 2016 MineSafe conference.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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