Spatial positioning of sidewall stations in a narrow tunnel environment: A safe alternative to traditional mine survey practice.

Abstract

This thesis proposes an alternative method of mine surveying in order to improve the safety and accuracy of primary survey network control in a narrow tunnel environment. It is argued that the traditional South African practice of establishing survey networks in the roof of a tunnel, although accurate, is time consuming and increases the risk exposure of survey crews. In the South African mining context Health and Safety legislation requires managers to take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of their employees. It is argued that current developments in survey technology can provide a safe and accurate alternative of establishing primary survey networks.

A method of establishing a primary network in the sidewall of a tunnel was tested under controlled conditions and evaluated under real working conditions. It was found that the accuracy of such a sidewall survey network can meet the defined accuracy requirements of the Mine Health and Safety Act, provided that specific geometric configurations are met and certain observation protocols are followed. A detailed risk analysis of the effect of external factors on the accuracy the network and the health and safety of workers was made. A standard practice was developed to mitigate the identified risks in the installation and maintenance of such a sidewall survey network. This thesis recommends that under specific conditions, a sidewall survey station network can provide first, a safe and accurate alternative to traditional mine survey networks and second, provide the required control for accurate setting-out surveys in a three-dimensional environment .