AU2019222836A1 - System and Method for Ore Recovery and Dust Suppression - Google Patents

Abstract

SYSTEMANDMETHODFORORERECOVERY AND DUST SUPPRESSION ABSTRACT The present invention provides a method of promoting ore recovery and/or dust suppression 5 in an underground mine, the method comprising steps of: setting at least one fluid line 2 in at least one respective upwardly drilled bore B communicating with a stope or an ore pass S of an underground mine; mounting or fixing the fluid line 2 in the respective drilled bore B with a holder device 3 such that a distal end region 4 of the fluid line 2 is directed upwards through the bore B towards the stope or ore pass S of the underground mine; and conveying 10 fluid, especially water, under pressure through the fluid line 2 from a fluid supply at its proximal end region such that the fluid is directed from the distal end region 4 of the fluid line 2 into the stope or ore pass S, especially to a footwall F thereof The fluid conveyed by the at least one fluid line 2 into the stope or ore pass S flushes blasted ore and rock 0 accumulating at the footwall F of the stope or ore pass and/or wets down the blasted ore and 15 rock 0 for extraction at a draw point P. The present invention also provides a corresponding system 1 for promoting ore recovery and/or dust suppression in an underground mine. (Fig. 4) 2/3 010 II 3 6, 8 4- -7- 9 FIG. 3 - 3.G- -

Description

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I SYSTEMANDMETHODFORORERECOVERY AND DUST SUPPRESSION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for promoting ore recovery and/or dust suppression in underground mining operations.

Thus, it will be appreciated that the present invention has particular application or use in the mining industry, and it will be convenient to describe the invention herein in that exemplary context.

Background of the Invention

In underground mine environments, a body or vein of ore will typically be accessed by excavating cavities in the form of tunnels or drives to enable the extraction of the ore with specialised mining equipment. One method for the extraction is known as 'long hole open stoping'. This method involves drilling multiple bores into the ore, charging these bores with explosives, and then initiating the explosives. This breaks the ore into manageable-sized pieces which can then be removed by specialised mining equipment, such as loaders and trucks, at a 'draw point' of the stope or ore pass. The geometry of the ore body plays a significant role in the design of the bores and, as such, these bores can be either drilled as 'up holes' or 'down holes' from a wide range of locations within the underground mine.

A problem associated with this mining technique often occurs with long-hole open stoping operations. In particular, it is not uncommon for blasted ore to remain caught on the footwall of the stope where it cannot be retrieved by the heavy machinery. Factors such as limited access to the top of the stope, strike length and the angle of the footwall can all contribute to this problem, which impacts directly on the efficiency of the mining operation.

Another problem with this mining technique concerns the generation of dust during the collection and removal of blasted ore from draw points. Dust generated during this collection and removal (i.e. known as "bogging") at draw points, such as stopes or ore passes, has a negative impact on the mining operation. As well as the inherent health and safety issues associated with dust inhalation, there are operational issues such as visibility and dust accumulation on sensors of automated loaders. Underground mines will typically have sprinklers installed at the brow of draw points to wet down the exposed ore and blasted rock material. Although such sprinklers can be effective on the outermost side of the draw point, they are usually ineffective on the material within the draw point. As a result, when a loader takes a bucket-load of ore at the draw point, dry material from within the stope or ore pass may cloud or rill out creating excessive dust on the operating level.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method for recovering ore and/or suppressing dust in underground mining, and especially at the footwall of stopes and the draw point of ore passes.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect, therefore, the present invention provides a system for ore recovery and/or dust suppression in an underground mine, the system comprising: at least one fluid line for conveying fluid, especially water, under pressure, each fluid line being configured for connection to a fluid supply at its proximal end region and to a respective holder device at its distal end region; and at least one holder device configured for securely holding a distal end region of a respective fluid line fixed within a drilled bore communicating with a stope or ore pass of the underground mine; wherein each fluid line is configured to be mounted or fixed in a drilled bore by the respective holder device such that fluid conveyed under pressure by the fluid line is directed in the distal end region of the fluid line through the bore and into the stope or ore pass, and preferably to a footwall thereof, in the underground mine.

In this way, the invention provides a system which is designed to conveyed fluid, i.e. water, via the fluid line into the stope or ore pass to flush any blasted ore and rock accumulating at the footwall of the stope or ore pass down the footwall towards the draw point for extraction. In addition, the system is designed to wet down the blasted ore and rock in the stope or ore pass for minimal dust generation during extraction at a draw point.

In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of fluid lines and a plurality of holder devices, each fluid line being associated with a respective holder device and being configured to be mounted and fixed in a separate bore. Thus, the system can be installed in a plurality of drilled bores communicating with the stope or ore pass - i.e. preferably one fluid line per drilled bore - for flushing and wetting down a larger area of the blasted ore and rock in the stope or ore pass.

In a preferred embodiment, the holder device is configured to engage a side wall of the bore to securely fix the holder device (and the associated fluid line) in position in the bore. In this regard, the holder device may comprise one or more elements configured for bearing against and engaging with a side wall of the bore. The one or more elements may engage with the side wall of the bore in an interference fit or in a form fit to fix or anchor the holder device in position.

In a preferred embodiment, the holder device comprises an inner part for receiving and retaining a respective fluid line, and an outer part for engaging and fixing against side walls of the drilled bore. In this regard, the inner part of the holder device preferably comprises a connector or conduit for receiving and retaining the respective fluid line, and the outer part of the holder device preferably includes the said one or more elements configured for bearing against and engaging with a side wall of the bore. Preferably, for example, the said one or more elements at the outer part of the holder device comprise(s) an expandable element. In one form, the expandable element may comprise a mechanical component that is movable (preferably reversibly) into engagement with the side wall of the bore. The expandable element may be activated in situ in the drilled bore by mechanical or other suitable means via a control line, such as an electrical or mechanical control line. Preferably, the expandable element may also be deactivated in situ in the drilled bore via the control line in order to subsequently remove the holder device from the drilled bore, and with it also the fluid line, when it is no longer needed.

In a preferred embodiment, the expandable element may be in the form of a flexible member, such as a membrane or sleeve, that may be expanded, filled, or inflated to engage and fix against side walls of the drilled bore. The flexible member of each holder device may thus be configured to be expanded by a fluid or by mechanical means. In this regard, the flexible member may optionally be designed to be filled with a liquid or gas (such as air, water, resin, or grout, e.g. cementitious grout) in situ in the drilled bore via the control line, which may in this case be a fill line. When activated or filled via a fill line, the flexible member expands into an interference fit and/or form fit with the side walls of the bore to fix the holder device (and with it also the fluid line) in place within the bore. If filled with a non-curable fluid, like water or air, the expandable member may then subsequently be evacuated for release and removal from the bore. If filled with a curable fluid, like resin or grout, however, the holder device (and thereby also the fluid line) may be non-removably fixed in place within the bore when the fluid cures or hardens.

In a preferred embodiment, each fluid line is at least partially flexible, e.g. in the manner of a hose, for conforming to changes in direction or orientation as it extends into and/or along the drilled bore. Each fluid line may optionally include a nozzle, especially a spray nozzle, at its distal end to create a spray for spreading or distributing the fluid (water) into the stope or ore pass.

In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a manifold that fluidly connects or interconnects the proximal ends of all of the fluid lines, wherein the manifold is configured for connection to the fluid supply.

In a preferred embodiment, the system further includes a controller for automated operation over longer periods, e.g. including one or more automated valves on the manifold and/or on the fluid lines to be operated with timers or sensors, and optionally integrated with the mine control system.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of ore recovery and/or dust suppression in an underground mine, the method comprising steps of: setting at least one fluid line in at least one respective upwardly drilled bore that communicates with a stope or an ore pass of the underground mine; mounting or fixing the fluid line in the respective drilled bore with a holder device such that a distal end region of the fluid line is directed upwards through the bore towards the stope or ore pass of the underground mine; and conveying fluid, especially water, under pressure through the fluid line from a fluid supply at its proximal end region such that the fluid is directed from the distal end region of the fluid line into the stope or ore pass, especially to a footwall thereof, whereby the fluid conveyed by the fluid line into the stope or ore pass flushes blasted ore and rock accumulating at the footwall of the stope or ore pass and/or wets down the blasted ore and rock for extraction at a draw point.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises a preliminary step of drilling at least one upwardly-oriented bore for communication with a stope or an ore pass of an underground mine. The drilling is preferably performed from an access tunnel or drive at or adjacent to the draw point. The at least one drilled bore then serves for setting the at least one fluid line therein and mounting or fixing the fluid line with a holder device.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, however, one or more pre-drilled bores may already be available for the steps of (i) setting, and (ii) mounting or fixing, the fluid lines from earlier long-hole stoping operations in the mine. That is, bores previously drilled for setting charges to blast the ore body in the stope or ore pass during long hole stoping (i.e. previously fired slash holes) may still exist, extending upwardly into communication with the stope or ore pass. In such a case, therefore, these pre-existing bores may be used with the system and method of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of setting the fluid line in the upwardly drilled bore includes introducing the fluid line, together with a holder device connected to the distal end region of the fluid line, upwards into the drilled bore towards the stope or ore pass. This operation may optionally be performed with hydraulic equipment, for example having a hydraulically extendible rod or shaft for introducing and positioning the holder device and the fluid line in the bore.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of mounting or fixing the fluid line in the respective drilled bore with the holder device comprises activating one or more elements, especially one or more expandable elements, on the holder device (preferably on an outer part of the holder device) to engage with a side wall of the bore. In a preferred embodiment, the step of activating the one or more elements occurs in situ in the drilled bore via a control line. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this step of activating one or more elements may involve expanding or inflating a flexible member (such as a sleeve or membrane) of the holder device to engage and fix against side walls of the drilled bore. Preferably, the flexible member of the holder device is expanded by a suitable fluid or via mechanical means. For example, the member may be configured to be filled or inflated with a liquid or a gas (such as water, resin, air, or cementitious grout) in situ in the drilled bore via a fill line in order to fix the holder device (and thereby also the fluid line) in place within the drilled bore.

In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises steps of: setting a plurality of fluid lines in a respective plurality of upwardly drilled bores communicating with the stope or ore pass of the underground mine; mounting or fixing the plurality of fluid lines in the respective drilled bores with a respective plurality of holder devices such that a distal end region of the fluid line is directed upwards through the bore towards the stope or ore pass; and conveying fluid, especially water, under pressure through the fluid lines from a fluid supply at their proximal end region such that the fluid is directed from the distal end region of the fluid lines into the stope or ore pass, and especially to a footwall thereof.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment it is proposed that a series of bores are employed to set and mount a plurality of fluid lines so that substantial and even flushing and wetting coverage is achieved. The design (i.e. the number and the arrangement) of the bores will naturally vary depending on the geometry of the particular stope or ore pass. Preferably, the bores may be drilled in the backs of the draw point access drive to break through into the stope or ore pass. Once the holes have been drilled to break through, the holder devices and fluid lines would then be installed within the bores.

In a preferred embodiment, each holder device is mounted or fixed in the range of about 0.5 metre to 2 metres (typically about 1 metre) set back from the end of the bore where it breaks through into the stope or ore pass. This distance allows for erosion of the rock mass at the footwall during movement of the ore material to the draw point. Each fluid line may also be fixed at the roof of the access tunnel or drive at the collar of the bore (e.g. fibre-creted in place) to prevent damage from vehicle traffic in the tunnel or drive.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the invention and the advantages thereof, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference signs designate like parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of an excavated transverse stope in an underground mine environment;

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross-cut drive used for slash drilling a transverse stope as show in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional detail of a system for ore recovery and dust suppression in an underground mining environment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the transverse stope in Fig. 1 with the system and method of the invention for recovering ore and suppressing dust shown in Fig. 3 installed in the previously fired slash holes and showing water flowing down the interface of the broken material and the footwall of the stope in use;

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of another draw point with the system and method of the invention for recovering ore and suppressing dust shown in Fig. 3 installed in break-through holes showing water flowing into the stope or ore pass and flowing down to the draw point prior to bogging; and

Fig. 6 is a flow diagram that schematically represents a method of ore recovery and dust suppression in underground mining according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate particular embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention and many of the attendant advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood with reference to the following detailed description.

It will be appreciated that common and/or well understood elements that may be useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are not necessarily depicted in order to facilitate a more abstracted view of the embodiments. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily illustrated to scale relative to each other. It will also be understood that certain actions and/or steps in an embodiment of a method may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrences while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring firstly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a cross-sectional side view of a largely excavated transverse stope S in an underground mine environment is shown. A plurality of previously drilled bores B can be seen extending upwardly from an access drive D and communicating with the stope S. While the stope S in this case has already been largely excavated - that is, the blasted ore and rock has been collected and removed by loading machines L at the draw point P - a significant amount of the ore and rock 0 has accumulated on the footwall F of the stope S where it is inaccessible by the loading machines L.

With reference now to Figs. 2 to 4 of the drawings, a system 1 and an associated method for ore recovery and/or dust suppression according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described. The system 1 comprises a plurality of fluid lines 2 for conveying fluid, especially water, under pressure. Each fluid line 2 is at least somewhat flexible, in the manner of a hose, for conforming to changes in direction or orientation along its length. Further, each fluid line 2 is configured for connection to a fluid supply (not shown) at its proximal end region (not shown) and to a respective holder device 3 at its distal end region 4. The system 1 thus also includes a plurality of holder devices 3 configured for securely holding a respective one of the fluid lines 2 fixed within a drilled bore B communicating with the stope S of the underground mine.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, each holder device 3 comprises an inner part 5 in the form of a connector or conduit 7 for receiving and retaining a respective fluid line 2, and an outer part 6 having an expandable element 8 in the form of a flexible member, such as a flexible sleeve or membrane, that is to be expanded or inflated to engage and fix against side walls of the drilled bore B. The flexible member 8 of each holder device 3 is preferably configured to be expanded with a suitable gas or liquid, like air, water, resin or cementitious grout, in situ in the drilled bore B via a fill line 9. When expanded or inflated, the flexible member 8 expands into an interference fit and/or form fit with the side walls W of the bore to fix that holder device 3 (and thereby also the respective fluid line 2) in place within the bore B. A nozzle 10 fixed at the distal end of the fluid line 2 is configured to generate a jet, stream, or spray of water from the fluid line 2 directed into the stope S. The nozzle 10 may also serve to engage with, and prevent withdrawal of the fluid line 2 from, a respective holder device 3. As is apparent from drawing Fig. 4, each holder device 3 is preferably mounted or fixed set back (e.g. approximately 1 metre) from an end of the bore B where it breaks through into the stope S. This distance allows for erosion of the rock mass at the footwall F during movement of the ore material 0 to the draw point P. Each fluid line 2 is also fixed at the roof of the access drive D at the lower end of each bore B to prevent damage from vehicle traffic in the drive D.

In this way, each fluid line 2 of the system 1 is configured to be mounted or fixed in one of the drilled bores B by a respective holder device 3 such that fluid conveyed under pressure by the fluid line 2 is directed in the distal end region 4 of the fluid line 2 through the bore B and into the stope S, and especially to the footwall F of the stope S, in the underground mine. So, the system 1 is designed to convey fluid, typically water, via the fluid lines 2 into the stope S to flush the blasted ore, rock and fines 0 accumulating at the footwall F of the stope S down the footwall towards the draw point P for collection and removal. In addition, the system 1 is designed to wet down the ore and rock 0 in the stope S for minimal dust generation during extraction at the draw point P.

Referring now to Fig. 5 of the drawings, a slight alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the bores B were not drilled as previously fired slash holes. As such, the bores B are therefore drilled specifically for the purpose of setting fluid lines 2 in the system 1 and method of the invention. The bores B are drilled in the backs of the draw point access drive D to break through into the stope or ore pass S. Once the bores B have been drilled to break through, the fluid lines 2 and holder devices 3 are introduced and fixed or mounted within the bores B as described with respect to the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 4. Because the wall F of the stope or ore pass S in this embodiment is near vertical, the blasted ore and rock 0 filling the stope S is less likely to catch or accumulate on the wall, as was the case for the embodiment of Figs. 2 to 4. Nevertheless, the system 1 is still designed to spray a fluid, typically water, via the fluid lines 2 into the stope S to help flush the blasted ore, rock and fines 0 down the footwall F of the stope S towards the draw point P for collection and removal. In addition, the system 1 is designed to spray the water into the stope S in order to wet down the ore, rock and fines 0 in the stope S for minimising dust generation during extraction by the loader machinery L at the draw point P.

It will be appreciated for the embodiments of both Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 that if the respective holder devices 3 are activated or filled via the respective fill lines 9 with a fluid like water or air that does not solidify or cure, the expandable members 8 may subsequently be emptied or evacuated - e.g. via the fill lines 9 or via release valves (not shown) - in order to disengage or release the holder devices 3 and the fluid lines 2 for removal from the bores B when they are no longer required. That is, when the recovery of the ore 0 from the stope or ore pass S has been completed, the installation of the system 1 may be reversed to remove the system 1 for installation in another stope or ore pass S.

Finally, with reference to Fig. 6 of the drawings, a flow diagram is shown that illustrates schematically the steps in a method of recovering ore and/or suppressing dust in an under ground mine, according to the embodiments of the invention described above with respect to Figs. I to 5. In this regard, the first box i of Fig. 6 represents the preliminary step of drilling a plurality of upwardly-oriented bores for communication with a stope or an ore pass S of an underground mine. The drilling may be performed from an access tunnel or drive D at or adjacent to a draw point P. (It will be noted that the bores B may have been previously drilled for setting charges to blast an ore body in the stope or ore pass S during long hole open stoping). The second box ii then represents the step of setting each of a plurality of fluid lines 2 in a respective one of the upwardly drilled bores B that communicate with a stope or an ore pass S of the underground mine. In this regard, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the step of setting each fluid line 2 in an upwardly drilled bore B includes introducing the fluid line 2, together with a holder device 3 connected to a distal end region 4 of the fluid line 2, upwards into the drilled bore towards the stope or ore pass S. The third box iii represents the step of mounting or fixing each fluid line 2 in the respective drilled bore B with the respective holder device 3; for example, by expanding or inflating a flexible outer sleeve or membrane 8 of the holder device 3 in the bore with a suitable liquid or gas via a fill line 9. The flexible outer sleeve or membrane 8 of the holder device 3 thus engages against the side walls W of the drilled bore B to fix the holder device 3, and thereby also the fluid line 2, in place within the bore. The fourth box iv in Fig. 6 of the drawings represents the step of conveying fluid, especially water, under pressure through the fluid lines 2 from the fluid supply such that the fluid is directed from the distal end region 4 of the fluid line 2, e.g. via a nozzle 10, into the stope or ore pass S, especially to a footwall F thereof, whereby the fluid flushes blasted ore and rock 0 accumulating at the footwall F of the stope or ore pass and/or wets down the blasted ore and rock 0 for extraction at a draw point P.

Although specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

It will also be appreciated that in this document the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", "contain", "containing", "have", "having", and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "a" and "an" used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.

List of reference signs

1 system 2 fluid line 3 holder device 4 distal end region of the fluid line 5 central part of the holder device 6 outer part of the holder device 7 connector or conduit 8 expandable element / flexible member (e.g. membrane or sleeve) 9 fill line 10 nozzle S stope or ore pass B bore D access tunnel or drive F footwall P draw point L loader machinery W wall of bore 0 blasted ore, rock and fines

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:

1. A system for promoting ore recovery and/or dust suppression in an underground mine, the system comprising: at least one fluid line for conveying fluid, especially water, under pressure, each fluid line being configured for connection to a fluid supply at its proximal end region and to a respective holder device at its distal end region; and at least one holder device configured for securely holding the distal end region of a respective fluid line fixed within a drilled bore communicating with a stope or ore pass of the underground mine; wherein each fluid line is configured to be mounted or fixed in a drilled bore by the respective holder device such that fluid conveyed under pressure by the fluid line is directed in the distal end region of the fluid line through the bore and into the stope or ore pass, and preferably to a footwall thereof, of the underground mine.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a plurality of fluid lines and a plurality of holder devices, each fluid line being associated with a respective holder device and being configured to be mounted and fixed in a separate bore.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the holder device comprises an inner part for receiving and retaining a respective fluid line, and an outer part for engaging and fixing against side walls of the drilled bore.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the inner part of the holder device comprises a connector or conduit for receiving and retaining the respective fluid line, and the outer part of the holder device comprises one or more element, especially one or more expandable element, configured for bearing against and/or engaging with a side wall of the bore to fix the holder device and the respective fluid line in the bore.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the one or more element of the outer part comprises a flexible member, such as a membrane or sleeve, that is to be expanded or inflated to engage and fix against side walls of the drilled bore.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the flexible member of each holder device is configured to be expanded with a suitable fluid or with mechanical means in situ in the bore via a control line, such as a fill line.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each fluid line is at least partially flexible, e.g. in the manner of a hose, for conforming to changes in direction or orientation as it extends into and/or along the drilled bore.

8. A system according to any one of claims I to 7, further comprising a manifold fluidly interconnecting a proximal end of each of the fluid lines, wherein the manifold is configured for connection to the fluid source.

9. A method of promoting ore recovery and/or dust suppression in an underground mine, the method comprising steps of: setting at least one fluid line in at least one respective upwardly drilled bore communicating with a stope or an ore pass of an underground mine; mounting or fixing the fluid line in the respective drilled bore with a holder device such that a distal end region of the fluid line is directed upwards through the bore towards the stope or ore pass of the underground mine; and conveying fluid, especially water, under pressure through the fluid line from a fluid supply at its proximal end region such that the fluid is directed from the distal end region of the fluid line into the stope or ore pass, especially to a footwall thereof, whereby the fluid conveyed by the fluid line into the stope or ore pass flushes blasted ore and rock accumulating at the footwall of the stope or ore pass and/or wets down the blasted ore and rock for extraction at a draw point.

10. A method according to claim 9, comprising a preliminary step of: drilling an upwardly oriented bore for communication with a stope or ore pass of an underground mine, wherein the drilling is preferably performed from a tunnel or drive at or adjacent the draw point.

11. A method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the step of setting the fluid line in the upwardly drilled bore includes introducing the fluid line, together with a holder device connected to the distal end region of the fluid line, upwards into the drilled bore towards the stope or ore pass.

12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the step of mounting or fixing the fluid line in the respective drilled bore with the holder device comprises activating one or more elements, especially one or more expandable elements, on the holder device to engage with a side wall of the bore.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the step of activating one or more elements on the holder device comprises expanding or inflating a flexible member of the holder device to engage and fix against side walls of the drilled bore.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the flexible member of the holder device is expanded or inflated in the bore via a fill line or via a control line.

15. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, comprising: setting a plurality of fluid lines in a respective plurality of upwardly drilled bores communicating with the stope or ore pass of the underground mine; mounting or fixing the plurality of fluid lines in the respective drilled bores with a respective plurality of holder devices such that a distal end region of the fluid line is directed upwards through the bore towards the stope or ore pass; and conveying fluid, especially water, under pressure through the fluid lines from a fluid supply at their proximal end region such that the fluid is directed from the distal end region of the fluid lines into the stope or ore pass, and especially to a footwall thereof.

JUSAND NOMINEES PTY LTD Patent Attorney for the Applicant / Nominated Person ASTRAL IP PTY LIMITED