Workshops around the pillar system design computer program produced in SIMRAC project GAP334

Abstract

After a mini-survey on the structure and content of the workshops, it was decided that a overhead/electronic presentation of the engineering rationale / principles established in SIMRAC project GAP334 should be presented in conjunction with the actual Pillar System Design program. Four workshops were held, three in the Bushveld Complex, and one at the Conference Centre at CSIR Miningtek. The delegates comprised most of the industry rock mechanics practitioners who deal with pillar system design at shaft level. The Pillar System Design program was perceived to be user friendly, with scope for a few minor improvements in this regard. The new pillar system design principles and rationale embodied in the outputs of SIMRAC project GAP334 were well, even enthusiastically, accepted as an advance in pillar system design. A successful technology transfer of the results of SIMRAC project GAP334, which was the main aim of this project, was therefore achieved.