ABSTRACT

Increased rate of underground mining activities in developing countries faces a critical challenge with regard to frequent occurrences of structural failure of tunnel support systems. Subsequent consequences of the said challenge being increased rate of fatality and injury to mining workers on one hand and loss or severe damage of mining infrastructure on the other hand. However, the challenge is a cross cutting issue that involves multiple disciplines ranging from mining engineers, geologists and structural engineers, among others. The duty of structural engineers in this context is to ensure structural strength, integrity and stability of the tunnel support systems. In this paper various causes of structural failures of underground mining tunnel systems in developing countries, with the case study of Tanzania have been addressed and thereafter, the proposed remedies are presented. Therefore, with the adaptation of the proposed remedial measures, injuries and fatalities of miners and damages of the assets in mining industry within developing countries that are caused by structural collapses of tunnels will be prevented making the sector as one of the sustainable and safe sectors in the said world.