Track: Product Development
Abstract
Undergromd mining activity continues to contribute a huge part of the South African gross domestic product and as much as it is profitable, there are high risks involved in these kinds of mining operations. The safety of working personnel and equipment is of high importance to ensure it remains profitable. This report investiages how the safety of working personnel and equipment can be further improved by designing a yielding bolt under seismic activity. The principle of operation of the yield bolt is based on the science of radial expansion of hollow tubes in tension to provide intergrity to underground excavations. The reults shows how the principle can be used to mitigate the risks caused by seismic activity on mining operations.