GROUND SUPPORT

The Shaft Lining Australia rock bolter uses radio remote control fed through wireless broadband antenna with the equipment monitored through a series of Pan Tilt Zoom cameras

methods to install ground support via remote control.” The Robotic rock bolting system is the latest innovation to be released to the mining industry and was unveiled in April 2016 in Cobar, New South Wales.

During the commissioning and trial period at a mine the rock bolter was lowered into a 5 m diameter shaft suspended via a crane to drill and install a ring of split set friction bolts. Once positioned at the appropriate height the rock bolter extends eight stabiliser legs which push against the shaft walls and eliminate movement during drilling. A 2.4 m hole was then drilled followed by the install of the friction bolt. To position the machine for the next drill hole the lower four stabiliser legs are retracted and the

rock bolt deck rotates into position to drill where the legs are once more extended and the process repeated.

The rock bolter uses radio remote control fed through wireless broadband antenna with the equipment monitored through a series of Pan Tilt Zoom cameras. The drilling and bolting process is conducted using a custom built remote box with joystick control. A secondary back up system is also controlled via lap top functions if required. This electric over hydraulic technology is monitored and operated from a climate controlled operators cabin adjacent to the collar of the shaft.

“ This new innovative technology designed and built by contracting and manufacturing company Shaft Lining Australia provides a safer alternative for companies looking to provide remote controlled ground support in vertical shaft excavations.”

Robotic hang up removal

The removal of rock blockages in mining operations has long been a risky undertaking, especially in high overhead conditions. Moreover, the assessment of where to put charges and the placement of them has been difficult due to the lack of visibility and safe access to the area. Traditionally, wedging long poles with explosives on them to try to keep the operator at a safe distance has been the tried and true method of attempting to remove the blockages. Unfortunately this is not a perfect system as it usually takes several attempts to remove the blockage. Each successive attempt results in more dangerous conditions for workers and / or damage to the mine due to the successively larger amounts of explosives used until the hangup finally comes down.

Over the years, different ideas have been proposed to improve this process and reduce the inherent safety risks. Some of the technologies that have been trialled include projectiles fired at the hang-up; large cumbersome arms; and massive amounts of explosives, each of which come with their own inherent safety risks that result in dangerous situations for miners and the mine.

After gaining a thorough understanding of the process, Penguin Automated Systems Inc has developed a robotic system that is capable of working in a rock blockage safely, which it

Blasting Vibration Monitoring Radar for Mining

The new IBIS radar for broad area monitoring of blast-induced vibrations:

������������������������������������������� monitoring and control

Simultaneous acquisition of a very large data set at various distances

Remote monitoring even of inaccessible areas of the pit( no corners or markers required)

PPV trend vs scaled distance for every single blast

Rapid installation and one-touch project set-up