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FACE SALVAGE |
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Introduction:
Both standard welded mesh and "plastic" meshes
are commonly used for preparing coalfaces for salvage. This
case study relates to the use of plastic mesh reinforced with
woven banding in order to improve the overall strength of the
mesh panels thereby allowing the safe and efficient removal
of the face equipment. Both the mesh and the banding are fully
approved for use within an underground coal-mining environment.
The mesh panels are fabricated in lengths of
25m and to each mines particular design and requirements depending
on the Managers Support Rules. Once fabricated the completed
mesh is folded and secured with colour-coded tie-wraps to ensure
that the mesh is unrolled safely and correctly underground.
The mesh is delivered to site folded up (see
picture 1) for ease of transport and to allow the mesh to be
easily opened out as the face retreats (or advances) to its
final stop position. |
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Installation Procedure:
Prior to taking the mesh panels onto the face for installing
it is essential that the face is straight, at the correct grade
and horizon.
In conjunction with the Managers Support
Rules the mesh is established over the powered supports as they
are lowered and advanced. Care must be taken to ensure that
the powered support is lowered sufficiently to prevent damaging
the mesh.Adjoining rolls of mesh are overlapped and joined together
by means of banding, ties or crimps. |
After the mesh is established
above the supports it should be held back away from the shearer
by means of ties or rubber straps.
The shearer then cuts through the face for a prescribed distance
to allow the drilling for and installation of roofbolts. >>
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<< The correct colour
coded tie-wrap is cut to allow the mesh to be unrolled and then
temporary support is set to allow safe drilling operations on
the face side of the conveyor. |
The conveyor and powered supports
can now be advanced, care must be taken not to damage the mesh
and the heads of the roofbolts. >> |
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<< The mesh is again
held back out of the way of the shearer by means of ties or
rubber straps and the cutting cycle is now repeated. |
At the face stop position the
final row of roofbolts is installed and the face front is bolted
to ensure the safe passage of persons along the face. >> |
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Bar
& 'AT' Rockbolts
