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A South African mine site conducive to mechanised mining was selected for development of the new system, which had to be substantially safer and more cost-effective than conventional mining. One of the most critical goals was to be able to create a man-free stope. Other challenges included setting targets for longhole accuracy, stoping width reduction and specific blasting system performance. An inherently safe critical span was modelled to ensure hangingwall stability, throw-blast cleaning and overall system productivity. Anglo Platinum Research and Development and Sandvik Tamrock entered into an agreement for the supply of a specialised longhole drilling machine. The system was implemented and tested by the mine in question with the support of the other participants. The results met expectations., A South African mine site conducive to mechanised mining was selected for development of the new system, which had to be substantially safer and more cost-effective than conventional mining. One of the most critical goals was to be able to create a man-free stope. Other challenges included setting targets for longhole accuracy, stoping width reduction and specific blasting system performance. An inherently safe critical span was modelled to ensure hangingwall stability, throw-blast cleaning and overall system productivity. Anglo Platinum Research and Development and Sandvik Tamrock entered into an agreement for the supply of a specialised longhole drilling machine. The system was implemented and tested by the mine in question with the support of the other participants. The results met expectations.

Activated cutting tools utilise vibration superimposed on the cutting action to lower the operating forces and reduce power consumption and wear. The introduction of these tools has permitted the development and evaluation of the first continous non-explosive mechanised mining system for hard-rock mining. This was a major collaborative effort between Anglo Platinum, Bechem GmbH, Long-Airdox Ltd, Zollern GmbH, and CSIR Miningtek. Targets for the system were a face advance of 100 m per month in a double shift basis for a 30 m long panel with 82.5 cm stoping width, and, eventually, fully automated personnel-free stopes. Intensive laboratory cutting tests were carried out on UG2 chromite reef samples, followed by installation of a test rig for production cutting at Rustenburg's Union Section mine. The target mining rate was achieved with the rig, albeit over only 90 seconds of in-stope cutting. A prototype machine has been developed and underground mining tests are planned for a four-month period., Activated cutting tools utilise vibration superimposed on the cutting action to lower the operating forces and reduce power consumption and wear. The introduction of these tools has permitted the development and evaluation of the first continous non-explosive mechanised mining system for hard-rock mining. This was a major collaborative effort between Anglo Platinum, Bechem GmbH, Long-Airdox Ltd, Zollern GmbH, and CSIR Miningtek. Targets for the system were a face advance of 100 m per month in a double shift basis for a 30 m long panel with 82.5 cm stoping width, and, eventually, fully automated personnel-free stopes. Intensive laboratory cutting tests were carried out on UG2 chromite reef samples, followed by installation of a test rig for production cutting at Rustenburg's Union Section mine. The target mining rate was achieved with the rig, albeit over only 90 seconds of in-stope cutting. A prototype machine has been developed and underground mining tests are planned for a four-month period.

Limited flexibility in stope width in South African metal mines characterised by narrow tabular orebodies has in the past necessitated drilling by means of hand-held pneumatic rock drills with conventional removal of the ore. Any new system has to be safer and more cost-effective. A feasibility study was carried out at Anglo Platinum for a longhole stoping system for narrow platinum reefs which was to include man-free stopes. Key performance indicators were developed to analyse the proposed system: safety targets, mine layout, drill rig performance, production targets, support requirements, explosives requirements, services requirements, ore removal and cleaning, and training requirements. Targets were also established for longhole accuracy, stoping width reduction, and specific blasting system performance. A critical span that was considered to be safe and that would ensure hangingwall stability was modelled, as was throw-blast cleaning and overall system productivity. Using the results, a fully mechanised, man-free, support-free fully integrated mechanised section is being established., Limited flexibility in stope width in South African metal mines characterised by narrow tabular orebodies has in the past necessitated drilling by means of hand-held pneumatic rock drills with conventional removal of the ore. Any new system has to be safer and more cost-effective. A feasibility study was carried out at Anglo Platinum for a longhole stoping system for narrow platinum reefs which was to include man-free stopes. Key performance indicators were developed to analyse the proposed system: safety targets, mine layout, drill rig performance, production targets, support requirements, explosives requirements, services requirements, ore removal and cleaning, and training requirements. Targets were also established for longhole accuracy, stoping width reduction, and specific blasting system performance. A critical span that was considered to be safe and that would ensure hangingwall stability was modelled, as was throw-blast cleaning and overall system productivity. Using the results, a fully mechanised, man-free, support-free fully integrated mechanised section is being established.