Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Shaft Sinking Overview

    Uploaded by

    gianniorlati
    286 views41 pages
    Mines - Shaft Sinking - Technologies

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    Mines - Shaft Sinking - Technologies

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    286 views41 pages

    Shaft Sinking Overview

    Uploaded by

    gianniorlati
    Mines - Shaft Sinking - Technologies

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 41
    ‘OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SOUTH AFRICAN ‘VERTICAL CIRCULAR SHAFT CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE Authors: Alastair AB Douglas and red R B Pfitzenreater ‘This paper was:- Revised and updated for presentation to the International Symposium on Tunneling ‘Techniques June 4 - 5 1997, Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C. Organized by the Taiwan Construction Research Institute. Revised and published in Papers and Discussions of the Association of Mine Managers of South Africa. Presented to the general meeting of the Association 27 November 1992. Awarded the gold medal forthe best paper presented to the ‘Association for 1992 at der Annual General Mecting eld on 19 March 1953 ‘Translated into German and published March 1990 issue of Giuckauf in West Germany. Published in Geo Drilling Technies No. 18, 1989 journal of the South African Drilling Assciation, Presented to Colloquium on "Shaft Sinking Current Practices and Furure Trends" held in Sandton R-S.A. in September 1989 under auspices ofthe South African Insiute of Mining and Metallurgy. Published with collected Colloquiurs Papers. Presented fo the "Shaft Engineering Conference" held in Harrogate U.K. in June 1989 under auspices of Lnstiues of Mining and Metallurgy, Mining Engineers and Civil Engineers. Published with collected Conference Paps. OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SOUTH AFRICAN VERTICAL CIRCULAR SHAFT CONSTRUCTION PRACTICE Alastair A B Douglas AMADIMUEA) A.C, Mnipeg Derar, Com Ming Fred R B Pfiitzenreuter ABSTRACT ‘This paper deals with tends in the South Affican underground mining industry and is demand for shalls, The development of the modern subsidiary sinking industry and the depths and ‘dimensions of shatts which are being predominantly construct, [A description of al the phases and activities involved inthe construction of typical shaft follows, Commencing with the constriction of the colar and pre-inkng, the establishment of plan, ‘equipment and gearing up ofa project to the commencement of fast sinking operations. ‘Te paper then deals wit sinking routines, i. lashing, blow over, dling and Blasting are dette and comment is made on moder developments in mechanised drilling and waterel based explosives. Activites associated wit sinking are then describe, ie. cover dling, curb-rng and lining placement, sation construction, inital development and loading pocket construction. ‘The excavation and lining phases completed, the paper deals with shaft stelwork preparation, ctncking, se jigging and referencing and guide drilling. ‘Text on the equipping phases follows. The up run in which the shaft is stripped of sinking services and brace walls are installed. Headgear changeover to oquiping condition, equipping oF the shaft with furnishings andthe final changeover to permanent conditions, Tris concluded with a plossary of local shat sinking tems. INTRODUCTION ‘The South African Underground Mining Industry This isa very lacge industry which produces ores of virally ll he precious and bas: metals, coal and other minerals such as diamonds and asbestos. In recent years, depressed base metal, industrial mineral and coal markets have resulted in moderate investment in ew production capacity in these areas, Uns the end ofthe eighties, this was not the casein the gold and platinum groap metal sectors ofthe industry, which hd enjoyed better market conditions, thus stimulating explortion and investment in new mines and in replacement shafts on existing properties. These mines generally exploit fly narove reefs. The extensions of existing mines and the new areas being developed are tending to reduce in grade and increase indepth. This means that more shat is required per ilogram ‘of metal produced and per square mere stoped. As long as this trend continues, shaft sinking Wil remain routine, commonplace operation inthis country. SHAFT SINKING This activity has progressed, over the last forty years, from an arcane art wich was ‘dominated by handful of powerful personalities who were employed by and sank for the various ‘mining houses, into a mature service industry, Dring the twenty years preceding 1990 there were usually between thirty and forty shafts in the course of construction at any one time. Of these, about seventy five percent were constructed for gold and the balance for platinum, cosl and base metals, minerals and daronds, ‘The gold sector has retained its dominance and platinum now enjoys the lin share of the balance ‘The volume and stability of demand encouraged the growth of substantial specialised contracting industry. These contracting companies, some of which are controlled by the mining ‘houses, account for about seventy percent of the sinking currently being carried out in the county, the balance being conducted by the mines and mining houses themselves. One mining house, i particular, does virtually all its own sinking and fields several crews, which it has scheduled to ‘keep occupied forthe medium term future. ‘The contractors havea symbiotic relationship withthe mining industry. The establishment and growth of these companies over the last forty years into fre standing enterprises has been to the benefit ofthe industry as a whole, They have become storehouses of experience, expertise, personnel, plant and equipment which can be mobilised at short notice for the convenienee of the industry. ‘The contractors compete against each otber for work snd the industry ean ell for firmly costed tenders for complex projets virtually as required. Inthe market in which they operat, the liens normally capable of eatrying out his own sinking. This, together withthe pride they have in their individval products and reputations, is conducive to a heathy, competitive business ‘envionment, This in tur leads to the effective contol of cots and has enabled the comtainment of cost inereases in shaft sinking to levels below the working cost rises experienced by the industry. SAFETY IN SINKING SHAFTS ‘The harsh environment, the overwhelming noise and the controled violence of many ofthe ‘operations combine with the force of gravity to create a climate in sinking shafts that bad teationally been reparded as dangerous. This is no Jonger the case, The sie nd relative stability ofthe sinking sector has generated 4 core of experienced men who build careers and spend their whole working lives in shaft ‘construction ‘The achievements ofthese professionals inte fleld of safety are more impressive than the prodocts wich they create and in which they take such pre. ‘There ate several instances now on record where a shaft has been completed without a fatality. Fatality free runs in excess of two hundred thousand shifts are becoming commonplace (a conventionally sunk typical shat, ‘complemented fora seven day working week, lock in round fen thousand man shifts @ month), Indeed, accident rates in shafts are now comparable with the underground mining industy in general This is the result of vigilance, imagination and effort exercised by every person involved in the great team effort tit all shaft sinking demands. The efforis of these individuals are eo- ondinated into programmes which command the commitment of both management and crews Blements common to all programmes are: Unyielding discipline; co-operation ami mutual protection between individuals; use of standard procedures; record keeping; and coxpettion between shifts and sites. Co-operation between te sinking organisations vigilance and prompt reaction to observed hazards; incentives; meticulous maintenance and contro of equipment and immediate investigation of accidents all lead to the implementation of preventive action and a willingness to accept any change in method, design or protective gear that will contribute to Improved safety ‘These attudes and efforts have been rewarded. A youth can enter the industry and Antcipte with conidence that be will beable oresire wih his heath unimpaired, afer a fling, ‘exciting and rewarding career in what has become a prestigious profession. THE SHAFTS ‘he circular coneret lined vertical shaft has ousted other cross-sections. Rectangular and lipsical shafts sometimes feature asthe subject of debate but are only seriously considered if an cxisting shaft of such a cross-section isto be deepened. One other shape is occasionally used: this is the stretched cireular, where a short flat, usually less than ten percent ofthe shaft diameter, i introduced between two semi-citeles. The introduction of the fat offers some advantages in ‘geometry and set design, this must be weighed agains the impeachment ofthe integry of the circle and the weakness so introduced into the shaft shutter. SHUTTER BEING SET OFF BOTTON AW cm CRANE FIG. 4 i) a a ta B= ofa 0 COLLAR CONSTRUCTION Finished diameters commonly vary between six and nine metres, dhe most popular being around eight, which is 2 convenient compromise between construction and petmanent configuration Constraints. Shafts outside these dimensions would be considered very large or small and may require special construction tecuniques tobe introduced. Depths of between fifteen and two thousand metres are considered normal and some ultra deep, single lift shafts of depths approaching two thousand eight hundred metres are being sunk ‘The ever increasing depth of exploitable reefs has resulted in shafts in excess of 300m being included in feasibility studies for future mines. This has inited concerned debate amongst stakeholders inthe shaft sinking community, who are considering ways and means of extending and adapting ther echnotogy to accommodate these depts. Depths ofthis order are straining the limits of rope technology. Ura high tensile steels te required fr both stage and kibble ropes. Ropes constructed of these materials are dificult handle and i is very much a ease of lean while you earn. Some disappointing results have been experienced with these ropes, bu manufacturers are claiming to have overcome most probes and ‘maintain they now have a reliable and prediciable product. Rope weight to final loa/pay load ratios are large - indeed, most of the power used in these winding systems is dissipeted in cvercoming their own inertia. It appears, therefore, that a breakthrough in rope technclogy is & pre-requisite before any quantum increase in single lift shaft depths can take place COLLAR CONSTRUCTION AND PRE-SINKING In the case of a steetpermanent headgear having been selected, both collar construction and pre-sinking can he effected prior to headgear erection, and they can take place while the headgear fs being manafacsred ‘Where a temporary sinking headgear is tobe used, it can be exected after collar completion and employed for the pre-snk, andthe use of eranes or derricks for hoisting dispensed with ‘When a concrete headgear is chosen the collar is constructed through the headgear ‘foundation raft and the pre-sink is usually carried out once the headgear side has been completed COLLAR CONSTRUCTION ‘The upper portion of he shaft collar is usually constructed in open cu by civil engineering techniques and backfiled. The shaft shutter isthe frst item of equipment ordered and is used in this construction. Where se supporting sols are to be traversed a back hoe may be emloyed to excavate tothe limit of its reach - about 6m below surface. The bottom can then be levelled off sand the shuter buil from this floor. Reinforcing is placed as required and the barrel poured and extended hand over hand back to surface orto the civil section ofthe collar. Excavation an then proceed in pickable materials with the ad of preumatic moils, hand tools and the 2robable assistance of a pneumatically powered crawler mounted rocker shovel. What is considered 0 be safe sidewall height may be so exposed (ideally this height will coincide withthe designed shaft lining lift length and set interval). The shat shurter can then be broken out, lowered, asiembled, reinforcing extended and the lining poured. Sinking is interrupted to permit these procedures, ‘This process is then repeated until fresh rock is encountered and blasting commences. AC tis stage the cola is usually toed into itch cut in sound rock, Reinforcing is discontinued at tis point “The collar section is then complete and pre-sinking operations may commence (see Figte 1, 5 PRE - SINK In rare cases when the ground in which the collar is sited was not self supporting, speci techniques have been used, The unstable section has been taversed using caisson shielded sinking ‘methods or the area has been pe-supported with closely spaced auger drilled concrete ples which ‘were founded at auger penetration refusal depth. The pile caps were connected into a reinforced conerete rng beam so that excavation could proceed within a structurally sound pre-formed cage Ground water inflows can be problematic in unstable measures. ‘These are usually handled ‘with pumps or prevented from entering the excavation by diversion o well points sunk around the shaft sie from Wich the area ean be dewatered Hoisting arrangements for this phase of operations can be of various types. Popular methods are Mobile cranes, stationary seotch cranes wit aswivellng derrick and slewing gartries with load carrying ravesing crawls, They should be capable of handling the aforementioned rocker shovel, If eheir use i to be extended for the pre-sink, arrangements for guided travel must be incorporated into their design when tis becomes mandatory i. once the shaft hes advanced more ‘than 99 mete. During collar construction, sinking and lining operations are usually sequential and the shaft shutter is buil off the bottom, sith access to the shutter usualy provided by scaffolding. The shutter can be lowered with crab winehes sited around the shaft and mounted of the bank oF wth chin blocks atached to the filer pte [see Figure 2) PRE-SINK. ‘The object of pre sinking is to construct suficient depth of shaft to permit the assembly of the sinking stage and lashing unit inte shat bottom. Another requirement is to open up adequate Clearance between the shaft bottom and the stage parking postion to allow blasting without damaging the stage or the more vulnerable lashing unit, A bottom to bank interval of say ninety ‘metres would be ideal. ‘This would allow about seventy metres between the shaft bottom and the underside of the grab driver's cab and about twenty mettes forthe stage. Utopian conditions ‘however, rarely pertain and the pre-sink is usually not so deep, This situation then demands that shorter, lightly charged rounds are pulled until a safe stage withdrawal height is obtained. ‘The main difference between collar construction and pre-snking is that in pre-snking the curb ring is suspended and lining can be placed some distance above the bottom, so that sinking and lining canbe carried out coneurretly. A stage is required for shaft botiom protection and for access to the shuter. A specifically ‘built pre-sink stage is normally introduced fo fulfil this need or, in some cases, the top two decks ‘of the main sinking stage may be employed forthe purpose. ‘Hand held drill and blast techniques are uted for rock breaking and tis section of shaft serves asa useful training period forthe shaft crews. Lashing is generally effected with crawler ‘mounted rocker shovels. When the pre-snk depth is atained, sinking i interrupted and the main sink stage assembled either on the bottom, or pre-erected on surface alongside the shaft and lowered complete onto the bottom, with a lage crane. The stage is roped up and raised, dhe lashing gear installed, commissioned, and the shaft tripped of pre-sink services nd equipped with pipes et, ready forthe main sink to commence. ‘The Jead time involved between the start of on ste work on the project and this stage of| ‘maturity is usually about six months, during which time the following would have been achieved: 1. Crew accommodation established 2 Power, water and compressed air supplies secured and the site reticulated with these 3. Presink completed and this plant and equipment cleared from sit. 4. ‘The main sink kibble and platform hosts erected and commissioned 5. Shaft conerete batch plan erected and commissioned. (6. Headgear, tipping and mock disposal arrangements, bank doors and banksman's control cabin erected and in working order. 1. Offices, workshops, changehouses, garages, stores and all other site buildings erected and 8. Stag, lashing unit and all in-shat services ready o go. 9. Supplies of permanent and consumable materials secured and deliveries schedule, 10, The ste adequately staffed and equipped for sinking o proceed. SINKING - ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES AND LINING Sinking ‘The effectiveness of this activity governs the productivity ofthe entre operation for this ‘reason the shaft boom erews are pad the highest bonuses. Tdcally the lash, drill, charge up and blast eye shouldbe completed within eight hours in conventionally sunk shifs. This is he over- ring consideration when selecting and deciding:- ~ Kibble winder capability Kibble sizes = Crew strengths = Round lengths = Mack disposal arangements = Lashing unit ad grab sizes “Typical effective round lengths range from 1,5 #0 2m with corresponding uninterrupted ily calis of 4,5 to 6m, “Mos sinking inthis country is carried out on three shifts and what is termed "Call Out In this system the following shift is called when the explosives are sent down on the current shift The complete blast o bast eycle is then placed in the continuous control ofa single erew. This provides the strongest possible incentive to complete the cycle in the shortest achievable time. It introduces the principle of accountabiiy, because an identifiable entity is responsible forall aspects of the round and other work executed on that particular shaft. The system likewise fosters 4 high degree of competition between shifts for the shortest cycle times ~ another excellent Lashing ‘The use of turret type lashing units and cactus grabs is almost universal. The units are ‘matched with 0,56 cu.m gras in shafts of between six ad eight metre diameter; larger mits and (0.85 ca.m grabs are used in the larger shafts. Crawler mounted rocker shovels have been used in very large diameter sallow shafts and in small shafts down to 5,5m excavated diameter. Smal, 0.28 cu.m remote mounted grabs have likewise been employed. In small sallow shfts hand lashing is sometimes considered; this is costly, unusual and unpopular. It is more usual 10 set the ‘minimum shaft size at that which will accommodate a mechanised cleaning syste for reasons of, elficieney and economy, Normal practice is to re-enter the shaft shorly after the shots have detonated nd travel ‘through the “plug” of smoke, Most shafts are force ventilated by surface mounted fans delivering air tothe stage and below through one or two wall-mounted shaft ventilation columns. The stage and lashing crew ride ie stage into the boom, watering and barring down the side wall, and then bring itup to lashing elevation some 13,Sm above the muck pile, and steady it with the sage jacks ‘against de shat wall (see Figure 3) ‘The grab driver levels the shot rock and the kibble winder is clutched between the muck pile andthe tip. ‘The firs kibble i parked on the ple and the chains rung clear. The next kibbles bring down more crew and lashing begins with two kibbles onthe bottom and two on the ropes. Progress is considered satisfactory if the first kibble of rock is out and tipped within the frst hou, (Cleaning sees into a rhythm with productivity peaking in the second or third hour. The empey kibble comes down, is sted and unhooked, the loose chains are rung clear and the oppesie side kibble is tpped. When th chains come dovsn the ful kibble s hooked, raised, steadied and rang away, SHAFT GOTTOM NGICATING HOLE SPACINGS FiG. 4 ORILLING 9 = 4 5 < 3 g Strict discipline must be maintained during this portion ofthe eyele and personsel travel restricted to down going trips which are less disruptive to the operation. During the third and fourth hours water may appear inthe muck pile and could require simultaneous cleaning, pumping tnd baling. Hand lashing labour wil be required about thre kibbes before the end of the cleaning ‘eyele and the "blow over" will commence. -Atthis time solid rock wil have been exposed and 0 1 5Omm air hoses are lowered into the bottom, manned and muck blown into piles for the grab to ‘The sinker conduets his examination during this period and locates sockets and misfires which are piped out and examined, The bottom is dressed and barred to solid, the sinker gauges the amount of residual drt in the Botom and signals forthe detachment and parking of kibles on the hank. As the bottom becomes cleaner the effectiveness of the grab reduces and final cleaning js done by hard with shovels, rock is lashed into the grab through the gaps between the op of the tines. By now, the entire drilling crew should be inthe Bottom, ready to receive the machines a soon asthe machine kibble arrives, by which time the bottom should be solid and table top clean ‘The lashing unit boom is slewed to parking positon between the stage kibble bles, the grab raised and ied ta the baom with a safety sing. ‘The unit s then serviced and readied for duty on the next shit. DRILL, CHARGE UP AND BLAST Conventional Hand Held Drills The foreman and an assistant, together with two machine operators and thei light rockiill, go dovn the shaft with thefts kibble of lshers. The assistant alights atthe bottom eck of te stage and the rest onthe shaft bottom, ‘The assistant lowers a small plumb bob on & length of twine to the bottom, the upper end of the plumb line is held under the curb riag on the finished concrete tine, hus transfering this position o dhe bowom. ‘The foreman uses this as 3 reference and marks off a cropper and the downward vertical with paint or erayon, making due allowance for the required conerete thickness, He then repeats the process at 05m intervals around the circumference of the shaft. He is followed by the two machine operators who dil sub starter holes of about 100mm in depth. This activity is called scribing. The foreman will simultaneously check the shaft walls for clearance and arrange to have ight spots knoeked or popped off. This is especially important before the curb i lowered, when shutterisdewall interference wil cause lengthy delays (see Figures 4 & 4(a)] During this portion ofthe cycle the machine Kibble with is undershung manifolds and hoses arrives in the bottom. The manifolds are pulled over to their park positions and the machine Iibbie's cargo of heavy sinker rock dlls, dill stel and probably rock anchors is unpacked, The ‘machines are connected up tothe compressed ai and water supply hoses and drilling commences, Fora two metre round, a2,5 metre long steel drilling a 2,3 metre deep hole is required A drill steel ofthis length capped by a heavy rockdrill is about the maximum that ean be handled safely by fit strong, well trained machine operator. ‘The machine and crew complement will be set (twenty four to thitty machines for a one ‘hundred and eighty o two hundred and forty hole round is normal) so thatthe bottor. can be Arlled out within about an hour, Each machine will be required to drill between seven snd eight holes B CHARGING UP FIG. 4B About 4 machines will bepin drilling on the cut and cut easers. This is usually under the supervision of the sinker and bur or one cut configurations are popular. ‘The est of the machines start drilling onthe croppers and work their way inwards while the cut machines work outwards. Ring burdens and hole spacings are determined by stepping off boot lengths. The machine operators concentrate on drilling while their assistts recover stel from the completed holes ‘which are then piped out and stopped with socket plugs to keep them clean. Water is pursed into the kibbles which are now clutched between just below the Bottom deck of the stage and the tp. {see Figure 4(0)]. Surface disposal is usually by siphoning. As drilling nears completion, the machine kibble again arrives inthe bottom, loaled with explosives and charging sticks. These are removed and the kibble repacked with drill stel and ‘machines, the manifolds and hoses slung under the conveyance and sent out. Magnadets are broken out and appropriate numbered units placed adjacent to the matching rings of hols. Charging up likewise commences from the croppers and works inwards. The inert wat primer containing the inverted long period delay detonator is always placed at tbe botiom of the hoe :£32mm dia.capsoles are almost universally used in hand drilled shafts. In the croppers capsule is placed direc on te primer to clear the toe and iitte the small diameter cushion blast charge ‘of smoothex coupled together in omega clips. The balance of the round is charged with the :£32mm dia.capsules atthe rate of 2:3 charge length: hole length. ‘The toroids are the threaded onto the induction wire which is then connected to the hanging blasting cable. ‘The tottom is cleared of personnel and the sinker travels with the lst kibble to the top deck ofthe tage. The stage is then raised to blasting position, the blasting eable connected tothe lasting termials and the stage then cleared of persone. The round is set off from surface by the sinker once the shaft is clea. (CURRENT TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS Drill Rigs ‘The development ofthe shaft drill rig is one of the most significant advances in shaft sinking technology in this decade, Rigs have been employed in about a dozen South Afrcen shat ‘This technology can be regarded as proven and current models ate well designed, workmaniike tools. ‘The application ofthese driling sysems is bocoming more commonplace. They vill be of reatest benefit inthe large, deep shafts which are currently being contemplated ‘The potential benefits ofthe rigs are in many instances inthe process of being realised and 1. Enhanced productivity both in terms of units produced per man sift and improved absolute sinking rates 2, Reduced costs per metre sunk 3. Improved environmental and safety conditions due to reduced human and machine populations onthe botom, resulting in a quieter, easier to manage work place 4. Smaller crews 1s 5. Easier administration and control of erews on seven day work weeks, This is because of the ease of introduction of four sift operations. lashing sift and then a dil and bast shift of six hours each, so completing two eyeles to achieve 2x3m rounds in twenty four ours 6, Longer, beter contcolled and faster drilling of eover rounds ‘Constraints to be considered and catered for when contemplating rig introduction:- 1, High font end monetary outlays forthe rig and iil spares purchase 2) The kibble winder and openings through the stage must be able to cope with rig mass and dimensions in transport mode 3. Maintenance and operating crews will have to be more highly skilled than in the case of conventional operations Explosives 1, Aluminium based watergel explosives are being almost exclusively used and have ddemonstrated:~ ~ Improved environmental conditions because oftheir ow yield of nitrous fumes. = Improved saity duc to beter shock sensiviy characteris, Cost savings. 2. Pupable emulsions ae being tested and show promise ss- = They ar inhereatly safer. = They are simple to store as the constituent liquids are not regarded as explosives until they are mixed, hence no magazines and applicable regulations. ‘Shot ole loading is api. 3. Shock mie initiation is bein = tis more cost effective than the current alternative, magnadets alse Bored Centre Cores ashing is probably dhe most arduous ofthe activites in sinking. Over the last twe decades the use of raise bored centre cores, which almost eliminate lashing, has found decreasing application, Points which warrant consideration when deciing onthe posible use ofa centre core are:= [see Figure 5] 6 FIG.5 USE OF RAISE BORED CENTRE CORE 7 1, Bottom access is a pre-requisite. 2. The mine's waste handling capability must be able to cope withthe quantity of rosk which ‘will be generated by the shaft sliping 3. Its unlikely thatthe shaft wil bean isolated ventilation district and blasting inthe shaft may aflet the rest ofthe mine. 4. ims of imermediate acess tothe shat site may be necessary to monitor accurasy ofthe pilot hole and make corrections. They may also be required ifthe raise drilling system lacks the expacityto cope wit the fll shaft depth. 5. Spoil should not be permitted to buildup inthe pilot hole and a chamber large exough to ‘receive am entre shaft round shouldbe cut at the lashing elevations. Tis wil eliminate a probable cause of hangups in the hole and the danger of mud rushes due to drilling water ‘raining ito a ful hole. 6. A-man-safegrizzey will be required 10 make the core hole safe for men workirg on the bottom. 7. Raise boring is costly. Tis should be assessed aguint convenience, speed of construction, and whether the core canbe used over the whole shaft, or if conventional cleaning must be resorted 1 i the lower reaches of the sha 8. Risk of deviation of pilot holes. Precision driling is sill a developing techno‘ogy and layouts should be designed to accommodate some degree of deflection, Shoterete Passive concrete linings are being superseded by dynamic systems incorporating stressed tendons, mesh and shotrete or stelerete ~ These provide superior support characteristics ~ Are faster and easier to place Cheaper. COVER DRILLING ‘Most shafts are sunk within long hole cover. Rounds are designed t reduce the Tklinond of missing a water bearing fisure. typical cover round would comprise 36m deep holes drilled at eighty five degrees below the horizontal and so spaced and spun that the te of one hele on the pitch circle circumference overlaps the collar of the next. These rounds would be repeated every 30m so that the shaft would alway’ be atleast 6m inside cover. [see Figure 6] 1» FIG. 7 conerere LINING Heavy jackhammers suspended from below the stage with hemp rope and snatch blocks, ‘3m long, circular socton extonsion steels, lugged shanks, water boxes and bution or cruciform bits faze used, The operator stands ona adder alongside the machine and controls and assists with the sravity feed. Rods are polled with the hemp rope, usually asisted by a compressed air powered ‘winch mounted on a swivel base in the bot. All water intersections above a predeermined ‘quanity are usually injected with a cementwater grout and all holes are plugged with cement on Completion. In ateas where heavily water bearing measures are anticipated, injectioms can be ‘atred ut fom surface pump shed through in-shaft ranges. In such instances pre-cementation ofthe shaft site may be undertaken if time permits and circumstances warrant. Ih some cases ‘pumps are taken to the bottom from where grout mixing and injections take place. In preparation fora cover, the bottom is blown over and the hole positions marked off. ‘Spin dieston is lad of by siting from one hole to the next and inclination set with aclino rate Holes forthe casings are died witha large bit and the assistance of a centalising gue doly ‘The casings are then grouted, driven in, allowed to take inital se, ted with ding cocks and the restraining box girders wedge bolted into positon. When the casings have set firm the cover holes ae stated and drilled about 300mm into new ground. The casings are then pressure tested with water from a cementation pump and, ifn leaks are found, cover dling can proceed ‘The shaft dil rig is most effective for this type of drilling and cover rounds are executed in about half the time conventionally required. Longer lifts of say 48m are feasible, Very high pressure water intersections could be problematic ifthe string jammed in the bole so hat the Ailing cock could not be closed to bring the intersection under contol LINING: ‘Shaft Linings serve several purposes, they:= Provide local passive support of the shat wal + Seal the shaft walls and prevent weathering, + Produce a smooth surface of low aerodynamic resistance ~ Provide a precisely located surface from and on which shaft steelwork and service pipes and cables can he accurstely and easly installed + Serve as a foundation for “casvin” support members, bunton pockets, cast in plates, bearer sets, nut boxes, pipe and cable brackets. [see Figure 7] ‘Shafts are usually completly lined with unreinforced concrete of iniraum twenty eight day strength of 20 MPa and an eight hour self supporting strength of $ MPa for early shutter stripping. Minus 19mm aggrepate is used in the mix. In rae instances, for reasons of economy, {ust the bunton and pipe supporting curb rings are installed 21 “The concrete is usually batched and mixed ina plan adjacent othe shaft and dropped down ‘4 150mm diameter steel pipe toa break fall/emix kettle situated above the top deck of the stage. From thereon iis delivered behind the shutter via heavy dury rubber hoses. The manufacture and installation of the concrete defivery columns is of paramount importance tothe success of the lining operation. The pipes are heavy walled and manufactured to fine tolerances of length, straightness, flange normality, bot hole alignment and diameter. Usually (wo columns, one working and one spare, are installed in a precision made bracket, Exact vertcality and alignment is acheved by installing with reference toa template and two dedicated plumb wires. Perfect plumbaess wil virtually guarantee minimal pipe wear. The lining Ut height should correspond tothe interval between sets in equipped shafts and match the tween deck spacing on the stage. With plain barrels eg. ventilation shafts, it may be convenient to match it with the dily call. This means that ‘the curb ring willbe set and the lit poured daly and on the sume shifts. Ifthe daily advance of the shaft exceeds the lift length, two lite will have to be poured on some days. The lashing unit requires about fourteen metres clearance to operate. Ths distance governs the timing of curb ring setting The correct orientation, plumbing and elevation ofthe ring is of crucial importance and warrants the allocation ofa dedicated specialist berman "Ring man” and gang to the task. Other stage work such as pipe extensions, shutter preparation ete, ae allocated between the stage hands and gangs of the various shifts so that task responsiblity is fxed. ‘The cub rng usually as the bunton pockets or cast-in chair plate backers, nut boxes et. incorporated into its design, ls precise positioning will therefore determine the success of subsequent activites such as sinking pipe installations and equipping the shaft withthe permanent steelwork, ‘The shin preceding the “Ring shin does the preparatory work. Srbing planks az pulled, sorted and salvaged, bunton boxes are withdrawn, nut boxes stripped and most of the rig/barrel, flange and key pic hols are removed, the shutter cleaned and readied for lowering and the ‘conerete pipes extended. Atte beginning ofthe "Ring shi”, ater watering and dressing down the shat walls, the shuter winch ropes or eins are attached to the ring and made tat, and the ast few bolts removed from the key plate and the flange onthe top ofthe ring. The curb rng is eracked atthe Key plate tnd broken fee, and is weight is taken by the shutter winches and che stage, The stage is then lowered until the ring isa its approximate new elevation, ‘The ring mas is now transferred to the shutter support chains. ‘The stage is locked in this Position, jacks extended and lshing can commence. Plumb bobs and steel shaft tapes are lowered othe required elevation and the kee is atached tothe conrete pipe in use. The ring is elevated relative tothe shaft tapes with the turbuckles on the shutter chains, Tape brackets are installed shout every Som dovin the shat. Its then orientated by lining up reference marks on the ring with plumb wires with te aid of tangential rurnbuckles which have been atached to eye hols snchored Into the shaft wall. It is centred with sprags using offsets from the plumb wires. The number of| plumb wires is discretionary, usually about six. It must be borne in mind that itis only in the vicinity of these wires that the rng is true, so they shouldbe sted close to cas in items whose position is erital, such as bunton pockets or chair suppor plates. Pum wire steady brackets are extended at about 120m intervals. Scribing planks ate inserted, the scribing channel pulled up and the “stp end” sealed with paper or plastic membrane. ‘The cub rng is then poured. Acoeerators ace usually used in this concrete n By this stage the shucer winch painters ae attached to the barrel plates. The top of these ates is ligned with the conercte of the previous eur. The shutter is pow supported om the filler ring which adheres to the lining by skin fiction, Once the curbs taken its initia se, the buatrel is lowered, aligned and poured, The following shift will check the concrete through the inspection plate and, if se, will break, lower, align and cast the filler plate and clean off and Plaster the newly exposed matching joint. The next shift will prepare the shuttering for lowering and s0 on. STATION CONSTRUCTION AND INITIAL DEVELOPMENT (Current practoe isto establish the mining levels as and when the shaft bottom reaches the station floor elevation. Development of the station and tip crosscus, and in many eases the raise boring of rock passes and vent raises, is executed during the sinking phase. This permits the immediate commencement of development operations and, when equipping is complete, ‘he shaft system can serve asthe relatively well established nucleus of a working mine. [see Figure 8) ‘The first ut of the station erties is drilled from the shaft botiom as it advances trough the excavation, The shaft is usually taken about two rounds below the required finished floor of the station, This sump is allowed fo fill up with muck which serves as working flaor while excavation on the level isin progress. ‘The shal lining is brought down tothe station brow elevation. Depending on personal preferences and ground conditions the station can be completely excavated, made safe and Supported at this time or the excavation can be limited to thar required to permit access for subsequent development, (Crawler mounted rocker shovels are used to asist with cleaning. They back lash ito the shaft area where the grab re-handles the muck into kibbles for final disposal. These methods sre applied until a safe parking area for Load Haul Dump vehicles i erated. These are usally 1,5 (2 cum machines which can passthrough a stage kibble opening and then replace te rocker shovels for development cleaning. They likewise feed the grab inthe shaft area. These methods Yield high advance rates. When levels are to be connected by mise boring, priority is given to the Shortest routes tothe reamer hook up sites. Rock passes would have been pre-piloted fom the Upper levels wo which aceess would be gained via drawridges. Development would be earied on concurently with raise boring to effectively use dhe available labour and also to generat: blasted rock to mix with and dilute the raise borer chips which the grab has difficulty handling, ‘The use of a Mary Anne for man material access eliminates the use of drawbridges which:- Rosduce sinking ates because kibbles are diverted from servicing the botox. ‘Are dangerous because material handling and man access takes place in the open shaft above the stage, Delays blasts because levels have 1 be cleared, ‘This ficilitates extensive construction, tips, rackwork, pumping and electrical instalation, ct. om the levels above the stage, 2 NOWINAISNOD NOLVIS 8 In instances where itis considered advantageous to carry out extensive development ‘concurendy with shaft sinking, mid shaft loading arrangements can be considered. In these cases ‘section ofthe shaft would be equipped for skip hosting from a loading box so that sinking and ‘development operations could proceed independently of each other, [see Figure 9} (On completion of development the station excavation is opened up andor trimmed to sie. ‘The shaft is lashed out andthe curb cing set onthe station floor and poured. This then forms a ‘oor from which the station formwork and central barrel can be built. Progressive piecemeal pours can be made, o the station shurer can be completely erected, stop ended off at the zoncrete Timits and marie ino the shaft pats atthe brow/shalt intercept and cast in one continua pour. ‘The we of se! fibre reinforced shoterete for sation linings is gaining popularity, The technique offers advantages in strutural strength, speed of construction and simplicity of installation Loading pockets are generally formed by creating a large chase on one sie of the shaft in the floor of the bet station. ‘The chase is usually carried as a bench above the bottom aad lining is done in sections. When a lift has been excavated the curb is set inthe shafted tack and poured together with a construction sill cast on levelled off dirt inthe chase. The shuter is then ‘ull off this base and married ino the shaft artel plates. This proces is repeated as required ‘until the pocket is complete, [see Figure 10] ‘The Final activities ofthis phase of operations are to take the lining into the bottom and to ‘low over, examine the botom, cenfy it as clear of misfires and then pour a sealing floor screed EQUIPPING Steelwork Jigging, Checking and Guide Drilling Shaft steelwork and guide blanks are ordered well before they ate requited for installation so that delivery is effected while adequate time is still avalable for jigging, checking and guide

    You might also like