r/mining • u/Key-Scientist-8585 • Sep 04 '26
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?
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u/feynstein69 Sep 04 '26
Talk to ground control mate, they're around for a reason
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u/Large_Potential8417 Sep 04 '26
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?
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u/Key-Scientist-8585 Sep 04 '26
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.
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u/Large_Potential8417 Sep 04 '26
I wouldn't worry about it
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Sep 05 '26
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u/mabarkerandher3sons Sep 04 '26 edited Sep 04 '26
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.
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u/Relatively_happy Sep 04 '26
Report to supervisor.
If anything happens, and they discover you knew and didnt report it, it could be your ass.
Report everything to supervisor
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u/davedude115 Sep 04 '26
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.
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u/_Vihor_ Sep 04 '26
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.
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u/kwaka300 Sep 04 '26
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
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u/mancin Sep 04 '26
enter it into the geotechnical log (or ask your supervisor to), at most mines the log is read every day by the tech services department, everything in the log book must be inspected. You'll see a young geotech within 48hours
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u/Sandhog43 Sep 04 '26
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.
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u/Kindly_Mall_9080 Sep 04 '26
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.
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u/Repulsive-Rhubarb633 Sep 04 '26
Pillar is failing, slowly. Scale away compromised ground, mesh to floor and install straps. It won’t stop otherwise, it needs to be held.
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u/Human_Atmosphere2755 Sep 04 '26
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
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u/Old_Organization9157 Sep 07 '26
Make sure you know where all your refuge chambers are and make sure you understand your mines airflow.
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u/crazy-iwascrazyonce_ Sep 04 '26
What’s the time difference between these two photos? Has the concrete floor been bogged out or is that a new pad.
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Sep 05 '26
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u/digndeep90 Sep 05 '26
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.
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