Experimental validation of a mine-wide continuous closure monitoring system as a decision making tool for gold mines.

Abstract

Previous fundamental research projects have indicated the value of continuous closure measurements for improved support design and hazard assessment and for quantifying the effect of seismicity on stope closure. This project examined the feasibility of a mine-wide continuous closure monitoring system. A RMT remote reading telltale system was modified to operate as a closure system and installed at Mponeng Mine. Unfortunately, this system did not succeed in collecting data from a large number of closure stations. Nevertheless, some valuable lessons were learnt. The two most serious problems experienced were communication problems from underground to surface and maintaining continuity of the cabling in the stope.