Underground mining has always been a risky business. There are so many things that can go wrong, and when they do, people are often killed as a result. One of the most pervasive dangers of underground mining is the potential for falls on the ground. As mines go deeper, the weight of the rock above becomes heavier, and the risk of collapse increases. Therefore, mine support systems are important as they help mitigate this danger.
Let’s look at some of the reasons why underground mine support systems are important.
Prevent Financial Losses
Underground mining is expensive. Getting that resource out of the ground takes a significant amount of money. Every delay or setback can cost a mine millions of rands for each hour that the mine isn’t producing.
A fall of ground event could cause entire sections of an underground mine to be shut down for weeks or even months until the rock can be cleared and the area made safe again. In some cases, that section will never reopen as the risk is too great.
Moreover, extremely costly equipment can be badly damaged or even completely destroyed if the ground collapses on it.
Mine support systems can play a big part in preventing this from happening, thereby saving the mine a lot of money.
Save Lives
Underground mining is a notoriously risky business and modern-day unions, investors and government simply won’t put up with reckless mining practices that cost lives.
The potential for a cave-in is an ever-present threat in underground mining, and it must be addressed to prevent the unnecessary loss of life. Mine support systems can help prevent a collapse from crushing or trapping miners underground.
Therefore, it is absolutely imperative that the best possible mine support systems be put in place to prevent this from happening.
There are many types of mine support systems on the market, ranging from wood to steel to hydraulics and various other technologies in between.
However, few of these are as effective or as tough-as-nails woven polypropylene bags filled under pressure with cementitious grout, which becomes rock-hard when it sets. These cementitious grout-filled bags are capable of withstanding significant force without yielding.
For more information on our mine support systems, contact us today.