ABSTRACT
The primary ground support in underground mining operations without rockburst hazard mainly consists of weld mesh panels and friction bolts. In going deeper and deeper, mines experience increasing seismicity and associated rockburst damage. In order to cope with this hazard, specially designed rock bolt with better energy absorption and elongation capacity were introduced. This bolt also suits highly deformable ground, however, between the bolts surface support is required and the only strategy at the moment is to use thick fibre or weld mesh reinforced shotcrete. This tends to be expensive and slow to install. It is very stiff and reacts poorly to impacts.
