Underground Mine Support & Stabilisation

The scope of mine workings stabilisation carried out by the company includes projects to access, investigate, provide support or infill abandoned and derelict stone mines from underground.

The schemes have involved a range of work activities including;

• Refurbishing existing or constructing new permanent or temporary roadways, headings and adits supported with timber frames or steel mine arches & laggings
  
• Driving new access adits to workings at up to 45° to the horizontal (down dip)
  
• Provision of entry portal support & protection
  
• Propping and cogging to unstable mine roof areas
  
• Rock bolting to unstable roof and sidewall areas and to fix mine arch supports
  
• Constructing new access shafts onto existing workings e.g. Wrens Nest, Dudley – 50m deep x 3.6m diameter shaft with fixed ladder system
  
• Establishing crane operated shaft access and man riding systems
  
• Site establishment to MASHAM requirements
  
• Working closely with the appointed mine manager and mines & quarries inspectors
  
• Establishing safe access, communication systems, operating and emergency procedures
  
• Establishment of decking, accesses and walkways within canal basins, roadways and mine galleries
  
• Installation of ventilation and lighting systems
  
• Establishing mine haulage and transport arrangements including winch or rail systems
  
• Pumping and placing concrete, foamed concrete, PFA paste and grout underground to infill stabilisation areas, in lifts to suit material type
  
• Constructing contractor designed in-situ concrete, stepped grout or blockwork barriers to mine galleries for retention of infill materials and limitation of treatment areas e.g. Wrens Nest, Dudley, 150m3 of concrete was placed in barriers which was pumped overland and into the mine from surface through purpose drilled & cased boreholes at the barrier positions
  

• Erection of shuttering underground for concrete or grout barriers including propping & dowelling in restricted working space, for example erecting 15m high shuttering and filling in 1.2m lifts with PFA paste infill to stabilise high risk area of mine (Stores Cavern, Dudley)
  
• Use of geotextiles to prevent grout loss into mine discard and to reinforce stepped grout barriers
  
• Stowing and placement of sand, aggregates and cement bound stone infill materials including use of conveyors, pneumatic stowers and mining dragline “slusher” system
  
• Using existing canal system and workboats to access stabilisation and barrier construction areas (Wrens Nest and Castle Hill Mines – Dudley)
  
• Installation of bat mitigation measures in stable or supported mine galleries using randomly placed imported limestone
  
• Investigation and survey work, including working with other specialists such as geotechnical consultants, environmental consultants (bats) and radon exposure consultants
  
• Monitoring infill works progress from underground to check integrity of barriers and bulkheads
  
• Establishment and operation of monitoring equipment including radon dosimeters, dust monitors and as well as geotechnical instrumentation to monitor ground movement such as extensometers
  
• Continuing surveys and safety inspections of at risk mines
  
• The mines being filled are often beneath residential property or ecologically sensitive areas requiring close liaison with residents and other stakeholders
  

The company’s extensive experience in mine workings stabilisation together with the experience and technical competence of our contract management teams enables the company to provide advice, assess options & solutions, consider alternatives, undertake buildability assessments, provide budget costings and design services in this field.