AU2003203880B1

AU2003203880B1 - Method and Apparatus for Excavating Raises

Info

Publication number: AU2003203880B1
Application number: AU2003203880A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Rodan
Original assignee: Australian Contract Mining Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Australian Contract Mining Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-05-28
Filing date: 2003-04-28
Publication date: 2005-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-28

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: Australian Contract Mining Pty Ltd Brian RODAN WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Method and Apparatus for Excavating Raises" Details of Associated Provisional Application No(s): PS2616 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- "Method and Apparatus for Excavating Raises" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for excavating raises.

The method and apparatus of the present invention are particularly suited to the excavation of cut off slot raises as required for long hole stoping methods.

However, the method of the invention has utility in the excavation of any raises from shafts and tunnels including manway raises, ventilation raises (including large ventilation raises) and pilot raises.

Background Art The two principal factors governing the excavation of raises are cost and safety.

Specialised raise climbing apparatus, such as that produced by ALIMAK offers a considerable safety advantage. ALIMAK climbers use a specialised cabin and rail system, where the cabin is propelled along the rail. However where, as is commonly the case, the raise is to transversely diverge from the main drive, the use of such equipment requires the excavation of a tail drive, typically of at least to 15 metres in length. The tail drive is required to accommodate the continuous curved rail system that enables such to be removed from beneath the raise when blasting occurs. The need to excavate the tail drive adds considerably to the cost of excavating raises using ALIMAK or ALIMAK type systems, to the extent that the use of these systems in the excavation of short raises is uneconomical.

Consequently, short raises are commonly excavated by a technique known as ladder raising. Ladder raising involves no excavation beyond that required for the raise itself, but involves a considerable safety risk as the miner is required to carry equipment up a series of ladders to the workface, thereby exposing themselves to falling rock.

S-3- O It is one object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for excavating raises that at least is more economical than using conventional Z ALIMAK raising equipment, and offers greater personal protection than ladder N raising.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended to o00 o00 facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that Sany of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in SAustralia as at the priority date of the application.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for excavating a raise from a main drive, the apparatus comprising: a cab assembly, including a drive system, adapted to protect and transport a user; a modular rail assembly, wherein the cab assembly is releasably engagable with the modular rail assembly and movable therealong; and a positioning means for facilitating the movement of the cab assembly between a first position, where the cab assembly may be engaged with the modular rail assembly, and a second position remote therefrom wherein both the first position and the second position are within the main drive, such that, in use, the cab assembly may be moved from the second position, remote from the raise, to the first position beneath the raise, the -4modular rail assembly may be installed along the raise as such is excavated, and the cab assembly may be releasably attached to the Z modular rail assembly from the first position and driven along the modular (rail assembly, up the raise.

In one form of the invention, the positioning means is provided in the form of a 00 00 vehicle or mobile platform, adapted to receive the cab assembly thereon.

t In a further form of the invention, the positioning means is provided in the form of Sa positioning rail assembly, wherein the positioning rail assembly is adapted to be mounted to the roof, floor or a wall of the main drive.

In a more specific form of the invention, the positioning rail assembly comprises one or more positioning rails, adapted to be mounted to the roof, floor or a wall of the main drive, and a transport rail, wherein the transport rail is mounted transverse to the or each positioning rail and is slidably mounted to such, and the transport rail is adapted to receive the cab assembly therealong.

Preferably, the positioning rail assembly comprises at least two positioning rails.

Preferably, the transport rail is of a similar cross-section to the modular rail assembly, and the positioning rail assembly is located relative to the modular rail assembly such that, when the cab assembly is in the first position, the transport rail is substantially aligned with the proximate portion of the modular rail assembly, such that, in use, the cab assembly may be driven along the transport rail and onto the modular rail assembly.

Preferably, the modular rail assembly provides for the supply of power, water and/or air to the cab assembly.

In one form of the invention, the cab assembly is provided in the form of ALIMAK climber.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for excavating a short raise from a main drive, the method comprising the steps of: Drilling, charging and blasting a portion of a roof of a main drive to commence excavation of a raise; Installing a first portion of a modular rail assembly within the raise; Installing within the main drive a positioning means for facilitating the movement of a cab assembly between a first position, beneath the raise, where the cab assembly may be engaged with the modular rail assembly, and a second position remote therefrom; Entering the cab assembly whilst such is in the second position; Transporting such to the first position and engaging the cab assembly with the first portion of the modular rail assembly; Driving the cab assembly along the modular rail assembly to the face of the raise; Drilling and charging the face of the raise; Driving the cab assembly down the modular rail assembly, onto the positioning means and transporting the cab assembly along the positioning means to the second position; Blasting the face of the raise; and Installing a further portion of the modular rail assembly within the raise.

Preferably, before the step of installing a further portion of the modular rail assembly within the raise and after the step of blasting the face of the raise, the method for excavating a short raise from a main drive comprises the step of: Re-entering the raise and making such safe.

Preferably, the steps of entering the cab assembly whilst such is in the second position; transporting such to the first position and engaging the cab assembly with the first portion of the modular rail assembly; driving the cab assembly along the modular rail assembly to the face of the raise; drilling and charging the face of the raise; driving the cab assembly down the modular rail assembly, onto the positioning means and transporting the cab assembly along the positioning means to the second position; blasting the face of the raise; and Installing a further portion of the modular rail system within the raise are performed repeatedly until a raise of the desired length is excavated.

In one form of the invention, the positioning means is provided in the form of a vehicle or mobile platform, adapted to receive the cab assembly thereon.

In an alternate form of the invention, the positioning means is provided in the form of a positioning rail assembly, and the step of installing within the main drive a positioning means comprises mounting the positioning rail assembly to the roof, floor or a wall of the main drive.

In a more specific form of the invention, the positioning rail assembly comprises one or more positioning rails, adapted to be mounted to the roof, floor or a wall of the main drive, and a transport rail, and the step of installing within the main drive a positioning means comprises slidably mounting the transport rail transverse to the or each positioning rail, and slidably mounting the cab assembly along the transport rail.

Preferably, the transport rail is of a similar cross-section to the modular rail assembly, and the step of installing within the main drive a positioning means comprises locating the positioning rail assembly relative to the modular rail assembly such that, when the cab assembly is in the first position, the transport rail is substantially aligned with the proximate portion of the modular rail assembly, such that, in use, the cab assembly may be driven along the transport rail and onto the modular rail assembly.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to two embodiments thereof, and the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a main drive, with a raise extending therefrom, in accordance with a first embodiment, showing a positioning means, a modular rail assembly and a cab assembly movable between a first position and a second position on the positioning means; Figure 2 is a top view of the main drive and raise of Figure 1, showing the positioning means, with the cab assembly in dotted outline; Figure 3 is an end view of the main drive and raise of Figures 1 and 2, showing the raise extending substantially perpendicularly to the main drive; and Figure 4 is an end view of a main drive and raise in accordance with a second embodiment, showing the raise transversely diverging from the main drive.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention In Figures 1 to 3 there is shown an apparatus 10 for excavating a raise 12 from a main drive 14. The apparatus 10 comprises a cab assembly, in the form of an ALIMAK climber 16, having a cage 18 adapted to protect and transport a user (not shown), a work platform 20 from which the user may drill and charge a rock face, and a drive system 22 as can best be seen in Figure 3. The apparatus further comprises a modular rail assembly 24 adapted to be secured to a rock face 26 within the raise 12 and to receive the ALIMAK climber 16 therealong, and a positioning means in the form of a positioning rail assembly 28. The modular rail assembly 24 provides for the supply of power, water and/or air to the ALIMAK climber 16.

The positioning rail assembly 28 comprises a positioning rail 30, secured to a wall 32 and roof 36 of the main drive 10, and a transport rail 34, wherein the transport rail 34 is mounted transverse to the positioning rail 30 and is slidably mounted to such. The transport rail 34 is adapted to receive the ALIMAK climber 16 therealong, such that when the ALIMAK climber 16 is on the transport rail 34, the ALIMAK climber 16 may be moved between a first position, beneath the raise 12, and a second position, remote therefrom.

The transport rail 34 is of a similar cross-section to the modular rail assembly 24.

The positioning rail assembly 28 is located relative to the modular rail assembly 24 such that, when the ALIMAK climber 16 is in the first position, the transport rail 34 is substantially aligned with the proximate portion of the modular rail 24 assembly.

In use, the raise is formed by drilling, charging and blasting a portion of the roof 36 of a main drive 14 to commence excavation of the raise 12. A portion of the modular rail assembly 24 is installed within the raise 12. The positioning rail assembly 28 is then attached to the wall of the main drive 14 located relative to the modular rail assembly 24 such that, when the ALIMAK climber 16 is in the first position, the transport rail 34 is substantially aligned with the proximate portion of the modular rail 24 assembly. The user enters and exits the cage 18 of the ALIMAK climber 16 when such is in the second position, remote from the raise 12. Thus, the user is protected from the working rock faces of the raise 12, exposing the worker to considerably less risk in this regard than would be the case if the ladder raising technique were employed.

The ALIMAK climber 16, mounted on the transport rail 34, is then transported along the positioning rail 30 to the first position, beneath the raise 12. By way of the drive system 22, the ALIMAK climber 16 may be driven from the transport rail 34 onto the modular rail system 24 and, subsequently, up the raise 12, to the face (not shown) thereof. Once at the working rock face, the user may alight from the cage 18 of the ALIMAK climber 16, and stand on the work platform from where the rock face may be drilled and charged. The user then re-enters the cage 18 of the ALIMAK climber 16 and drives such down the modular rail assembly 24 and onto the transport rail 34. The ALIMAK climber 16 may then be moved along the positioning rail 30, to the second position remote from the raise 12 before the working face of the raise 12 is blasted. After the main drive 14 is mucked out and made safe, the ALIMAK climber 16 may be driven up the modular rail assembly 24 again, with new portions of such being installed as the raise 12 is excavated, and the process repeated.

In Figure 4 there is shown a main drive 38, with a raise 40 extending therefrom, and an apparatus 42 for excavating the raise 40 from the main drive 38. The apparatus 42 is identical to the apparatus 10, and like numerals are used to denote like parts. However, the positioning rail assembly 28 is mounted at an angle to the wall 44 of the main drive to align the transport rail 34 with the proximate portion of the modular rail assembly 24, as the raise 40 transversely diverges from normal to the main drive 38 by an angle of approximately 450. To excavate a similarly oriented raise using a conventional ALIMAK system would require the excavation of a tail drive 46 of approximately 10-13 metres length.

Whilst this expense may be justifiable if the raise 40 was to be of considerable length, it would not be so for a short raise.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for excavating a raise from a main drive, the apparatus N comprising: 0 a cab assembly, including a drive system, adapted to protect and transport 00 5 a user; 00 a modular rail assembly, wherein the cab assembly is releasably engagable Swith the modular rail assembly and movable therealong; and a positioning means for facilitating the movement of the cab assembly between a first position, where the cab assembly may be engaged with the modular rail assembly, and a second position remote therefrom wherein both the first position and the second position are within the main drive, such that, in use, the cab assembly may be moved from the second position, remote from the raise, to the first position beneath the raise, the modular rail assembly may be installed along the raise as such is excavated, and the cab assembly may be releasably attached to the modular rail assembly from the first position and driven along the modular rail assembly, up the raise.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the positioning means is provided in the form of a vehicle or mobile platform, adapted to receive the cab assembly thereon.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the positioning means is provided in the form of a positioning rail assembly, the positioning rail assembly being adapted to be mounted to the roof, floor or a wall of the main drive.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the positioning rail assembly comprises one or more positioning rails, adapted to be mounted to the roof, floor or a wall of the main drive, and a transport rail, the transport rail being M tn -12- mounted transverse to the or each positioning rail, slidably mounted to such, and adapted to receive the cab assembly therealong. 0 z An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the positioning rail assembly comprises at least two positioning rails. o00 5 6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the transport rail 00 M is of a similar cross-section to the modular rail assembly, and the positioning Nq rail assembly is located relative to the modular rail assembly such that, when Sthe cab assembly is in the first position, the transport rail is substantially aligned with the proximate portion of the modular rail assembly, such that, in use, the cab assembly may be driven along the transport rail and onto the modular rail assembly.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the modular rail assembly provides for the supply of power, water and/or air to the cab assembly.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the cab assembly is provided in the form of ALIMAK climber.

9. A method for excavating a short raise from a main drive, the method comprising the steps of: Drilling, charging and blasting a portion of a roof of a main drive to commence excavation of a raise; Installing a first portion of a modular rail assembly within the raise; Installing within the main drive a positioning means for facilitating the movement of a cab assembly between a first position, beneath the raise, where the cab assembly may be engaged with the modular rail assembly, and a second position remote therefrom; -13- Entering the cab assembly whilst such is in the second position; N z Transporting such to the first position and engaging the cab assembly with N the first portion of the modular rail assembly; Driving the cab assembly along the modular rail assembly to the face of the 00 5 raise; 00 (Drilling and charging the face of the raise; N Driving the cab assembly down the modular rail assembly, onto the positioning means and transporting the cab assembly along the positioning means to the second position; Blasting the face of the raise; and Installing a further portion of the modular rail assembly within the raise. A method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the steps of entering the cab assembly whilst such is in the second position; transporting such to the first position and engaging the cab assembly with the first portion of the modular rail assembly; driving the cab assembly along the modular rail assembly to the face of the raise; drilling and charging the face of the raise; driving the cab assembly down the modular rail assembly, onto the positioning means and transporting the cab assembly along the positioning means to the second position; blasting the face of the raise; and Installing a further portion of the modular rail system within the raise are performed repeatedly until a raise of the desired length is excavated.

11. A method according to claim any on of claims 9 or 10 wherein the positioning means is provided in the form of a positioning rail assembly, and the step of installing within the main drive a positioning means comprises mounting the positioning rail assembly to the roof, floor or a wall of the main drive. qq -14- O

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the positioning rail assembly comprises one or more positioning rails, adapted to be mounted to the roof, Z floor or a wall of the main drive, and a transport rail, and the step of installing N within the main drive a positioning means comprises slidably mounting the transport rail transverse to the or each positioning rail, and slidably mounting athe cab assembly along the transport rail. 00 00 O O M

13. A method according to claim 11 wherein the positioning rail assembly comprises at least two positioning rails.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the transport rail is of a similar cross-section to the modular rail assembly, and the step of installing within the main drive a positioning means comprises locating the positioning rail assembly relative to the modular rail assembly such that, when the cab assembly is in the first position, the transport rail is substantially aligned with the proximate portion of the modular rail assembly, such that, in use, the cab assembly may be driven along the transport rail and onto the modular rail assembly. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein the modular rail assembly provides for the supply of power, water and/or air to the cab assembly.

16. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 15 wherein the cab assembly is provided in the form of ALIMAK climber.

17. An apparatus for excavating a raise from a main drive substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3, or 4.

18. A method for excavating a raise from a main drive substantially as described o herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3, or 4. o Dated this Twenty Second day of November 2005. 00 00 Australian Contact Mining Pty Ltd C-i Applicant Wray Associates C-i Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant