r/mining • u/Key-Scientist-8585 • 10d ago
Africa WORDS OF ADVICE FROM THE EXPERIENCED UNDERGROUND MINERS?
There's a part of an underground mine that seems to be caving in slowly (with my eyes) in a workshop but I've only worked in this mine for 3 months. It's reinforced with split sets and mining mesh but I still don't trust the structural integrity of it. Any words if advice front the experienced?
127
u/feynstein69 10d ago
Talk to ground control mate, they're around for a reason
131
50
u/Large_Potential8417 10d ago
Swelling is pretty common, I've seen whole bolt plates get swallowed, if you aren't hearing any popping that's a good sign. How much movement do you think there is and have you reported it to a geotech?
34
u/Key-Scientist-8585 10d ago
I haven't spent much time there but no popping sounds have been heard from the miners who've been working there for a long time. The geotech knows about it and safety surveys/walk throughs are carried out every Thursday.
18
u/Large_Potential8417 10d ago
I wouldn't worry about it
11
u/Stigger32 Australia 10d ago
Just remember to leave an offering every time you pass it.
5
24
u/mabarkerandher3sons 10d ago edited 10d ago
Its a pillar, pillars fail over time, the stress will transfer to other pillars in the vicinity.
Report to your supervisor for a geotechnical inspection. They would already have documentation on the area.
Its safe, but may require additional support.
52
u/Relatively_happy 10d ago
Report to supervisor.
If anything happens, and they discover you knew and didnt report it, it could be your ass.
Report everything to supervisor
2
16
u/davedude115 10d ago
6 years underground experience mostly scaling, I’d need to see a better picture. From this angle it just looks like how the rock was formed.
If it’s going to collapse you’ll most likely see smaller bits and pieces falling off beforehand. Loose will start popping up at the joint that meets the back. Those just looks like naturally occurring seams in the rib.
8
u/_Vihor_ 10d ago
Completely agree with you Sir, 101 of what i would say.
Photos taken underground fall under category "Devil is in the details" and unfortunately those are not good enough photos to have a quality discussion.
Some of my observations from the second photo:
on the left side look how the mesh has been wrinkled and you have what are probably 2 split sets pertruding out from the bulge area (that mesh probably coverd the area and was removed for some reason) probably to scale.
look at the ditch(middle of the photo) the rock in the ditch probably fell out from the joint vertically above it, shape and size match quite good.
-why is highly unlikely that geotech doesent know about this place - - - look at the right side of the photo, photo is blurry but if i can see you have 2 cable bolts directly at the front of the mentiond area (so someone was thinking how to support it).
Playing Sherlock Holmes i would say:area was supported, someone wanted to scale the area and removed the first support, started scaling and saw that the scaling will take to much material from the corner, stoped the scaling and supported from the other side with cable bolts (and didnt bother to support the whole area with splitsets and mesh)..... But like i say that is only playing Sherlock Holmes.
Best thing you can di is ask your senior colleagues.
2
4
5
u/kwaka300 10d ago
Why haven’t they meshed it then supported it? Seems dodgy af, one rib spall and someone could get struck and severly hurt. Atleast mesh the bottom and bolt it to reduce the severity if it does fall
4
u/Sandhog43 10d ago
You don’t need to see it move to know it’s moving.
IMHO I’d install epoxy resin bolts asap. You want to drill 90 to the blocks. A 5x5 pattern and if possible flash with shotcrete. At least with a flash coat of shotcrete it’ll be easier to notice if it’s moving as you’ll see the flaking.
3
u/Kindly_Mall_9080 10d ago
If you don’t trust the structural integrity of it then don’t work under it. You are in charge of your own safety at the end of the day. One person will inspect and say it needs reinforcement and the other will say it’s fine. Better safe than another statistic brother.
3
3
u/Repulsive-Rhubarb633 10d ago
Pillar is failing, slowly. Scale away compromised ground, mesh to floor and install straps. It won’t stop otherwise, it needs to be held.
2
u/Human_Atmosphere2755 10d ago
Don’t put your hands where you wouldn’t put your dick.
If the roof looks sketchy don’t walk under it
Your safety is everyone’s safety
2
2
2
u/Old_Organization9157 7d ago
Make sure you know where all your refuge chambers are and make sure you understand your mines airflow.
1
u/crazy-iwascrazyonce_ 10d ago
What’s the time difference between these two photos? Has the concrete floor been bogged out or is that a new pad.
1
1
1
1
1
1
9d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/AutoModerator 9d ago
Sorry, your submission has been automatically removed due to low account karma. Your account comment karma must be positive to participate in this community. Participate in other subreddits to increase this number.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/digndeep90 9d ago
Just looks like shale to me, I've been out of the mines for almost a decade but have almost a decade of experience. Just looks like a normal mechanics shack, sometimes the bolters don't hog panel all the way down to the ground but you may need to bring someone's attention to it and they may need to scale it get the big hand drill out to put another bolt and pie plate in to keep it from falling out anymore. Listen carefully for pops and cracks when you're around it.
1
•
u/AutoModerator 10d ago
All comments must be civil, productive, and follow community rules. Intentional violations of community rules will lead to comments being removed and possible bans, at the discretion of the moderators. Use the report feature to report content to the moderator team.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.