Implementation of mechanized roof-bolters for low-seam hard-rock mining
Date
2019
Authors
Kempenaars, Cornelius
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Abstract
As commodity prices decrease and health and safety requirements
increase, it is of the utmost importance to understand the complexity of
converting the existing conventional mines to mechanized mining
operations. This is necessary for the mining industry in order to remain
competitive, as there are minimal numbers of new mining ventures taking
place. There have been many previous attempts to do this type of
conversion in the mining industry that have not been successful and also
not well-documented, thus the knowledge is lost to the industry.
The intention of this case study is to understand the process followed by a
specific mine in converting from a conventional roof-bolt installation to a
mechanized roof-bolt installation method in an already semi-mechanized
operation. The objective of many mines is to improve the health and safety
of the employees who are exposed to dangerous areas, as well as to
improve productivity and efficiency to ensure a more competitive position
in the market. That objective also applies to this case study.
By evaluating this project through a process of interviews with role-players,
based on knowledge gained from the industry and aspects that were seen
as important in various other literature studies, it was possible to determine
what worked, what did not work and what lessons were learned during this
project that could be valuable to the industry. Through this process it can
be determined which of these aspects impacted on the implementation of
this type of conversion project. It is also clear that each conversion project
will have its own dynamics but there will be the basic elements such as the
types of equipment, human factors and management processes that will
apply to most mechanization projects.
The biggest driver for the success of mechanization in the mining industry
will be with regard to how to ensure job security while introducing
mechanization, which does not apply only to the mine itself but to both the
mining and manufacturing industries. Dwarsrivier Mine overcame this big
hurdle by making a profoundly bold decision, namely that no one would lose
his job. In essence, this ensured a more candid approach to making this
implementation process a success.
The improvements that the new equipment brings must be understood, as
well as what the consequences will be in other sections or departments of
the organisation.
Setting realistic targets for the short and long term will be valuable, and
allowing time for the operators to mature will give the highest return on
investment in the implemented equipment.
Description
A Research Report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the
Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science in Engineering
Johannesburg, 2019