IM 2020 July/August 20 | Page 55

GROUND SUPPORT Sandvik DS412iE extends the zero emissions concept to the underground rock bolter class and bolting when connected to the mains power. Along with its direct predecessor, the new intelligent bolter also has much in common with the larger Sandvik DS512i in the 5 x 5 m drift size. One example is their similar versatility in terms of bolting systems: Sandvik DS512i and Sandvik DS412iE can handle a wide range of bolt types and lengths, including a combination of automatic cement mixer and automatic resin injection on the same bolter. The new Sandvik DS412iE will effectively complete Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology’s rock support drill range for the 4 x 4 m class, updating its entire product range to the latest i- standard of connectivity and automation capabilities, the company said. Additionally, the Sandvik DS412iE will be the supplier’s first battery-powered rock bolter. More on www.paus.de Training specific to rock stability Education and training specific to deep mining conditions is something that has recently come under the spotlight in Europe. A consortium of leading mining universities and mining companies has designed a dedicated training programme for mining professionals. ‘SafeDeepMining’ is funded by EIT RawMaterials and aims to address the shortage of highly trained rock engineering personnel for deep mines that can deal effectively with the rock pressure problems jeopardising the extraction of deep mineral deposits. Rock stability is one of the major challenges in European underground mining as the industry increasingly moves to extract ores from deeper levels. Experience shows, that despite progress made in rock mechanics and numerical modelling, there is still a considerable shortfall as far as application of rock mechanics principles in mine design and mining operations is concerned. There are numerous examples of rock pressure related problems that have occurred which could have been avoided with good rock engineering. During 2019 alone, a number of seismic events in deep mines in Europe and beyond damaged infrastructure and caused fatalities. During the past 50 years the majority of statecontrolled mining ventures have been closed and many of the leading mining research organisations have been either shut down or their activities heavily reduced. Many mining departments and programmes at European universities have been closed. This has resulted in the loss of skilled and experienced industry and university personnel in the field of rock mechanics. There has also been a loss of expertise and infrastructure in the mining industry, government agencies concerned with supervision of mining activities, research organisations and universities. All of this means that new developments in rock engineering are not being applied or are being done so incompletely. The stated objective of SafeDeepMining is to educate mining engineers, authority staff and personnel in consulting and at universities in state of the art rock engineering to assist European mining industry in dealing with rock pressure Power Grader Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik GmbH Tel.: +49 (0) 5903 707-0 Fax: +49 (0) 5903 707-333 www.paus.de ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������������������������������������������������