• HEALTH AND SAFETY
Action can then follow to stabilise the area with required support , like bolting . In such a case , the SSP would be used to enable the assessment of structures beyond the supported beam . It becomes a design verification tool used to assess whether or not the support design is sufficient .”
Greeff explained that there are further developments planned for the SSP , such as 3D imaging , which will build on the foundation of getting the ' zero line ' – the bottom of the scan – correct with compensation for the movement across an uneven surface . " The idea is to give miners doing visual inspections a powerful but light , fully portable , connected , stand-alone tool and system , which allows them to observe beyond the rock surface to identify rock hazards ," said Greeff .
Because Reutech innovates using off-the-shelf technologies , they are able to rapidly innovate . The SSP has two distinct categories in which it can be further developed – data acquisition and data analysis . Topographical Correction makes it easier to interpret the data , and further developments in data interpretation will involve factors such as automatic settings , calibrating permittivity , location and structure identification through machine learning .
The proposed topographical correction concept promises groundbreaking visualisation of rock hazards at depth , enabling dynamic decision-making and immediate risk reduction , which could save lives . Going forward , this could involve automated alerting with additional functions based on operator input , such as the length of bolts . The software will then indicate if the support structure will be sufficient to pre-empt any FOG due to possible insufficient support .
Overall , the SSP promises to be a game-changer for the mining industry , providing a powerful tool for identifying rock hazards and reducing risks in real-time . •
References :
1 . For more detail , go to https :// www . africanmining . co . za / 2023 / 02 / 24 / sa-industry-collaboration-supports-tech-innovation-in-rock-hazardidentification-safe-removal / The Rock Hazard Identification and Safe Removal Innovation Challenge was undertaken as part of the Fall of Ground Action Plan ( FOGAP ), a programme developed and approved by the Minerals Council ’ s CEO Zero Harm Forum , in conjunction with the Mandela Mining Precinct ’ s Advanced Orebody Knowledge ( AOK ) programme . The FOGAP ’ s objective is to eliminate fall-of-ground fatalities , while the AOK programme seeks to improve geological confidence at and beyond the rockface .
2 . Scaling , also known as barring down is the art and function of making the ground safe using a scaling bar to locate and remove loose rock from the walls , face and backs of the workplace . In manual scaling , loose or potentially unstable rock is prised off the rock surface with an appropriate scaling bar . The ability to correctly " read the ground ", or assess the ground conditions , is essential to all people carrying out scaling , no matter how small the area to be scaled . Manual scaling is potentially one of the more hazardous activities in underground mining . https :// www . dmp . wa . gov . au / Documents / Safety / MSH _ G _ UGBarringDownAndScaling . pdf
3 . The SSP has been commercially available since 2016 . The company currently trains users on how to use the SSP unit and customises training on how to interpret the data , per mine and the prevalent hazard-type experienced in that particular mine ’ s topography . The mine ground control or rock engineers with the knowledge base within the mine ’ s design specifactions manage the process and the Reutech team is sometimes required to assist with troubleshooting after training has taken place .
30 • African Mining • May 2023 www . africanmining . co . za