AU2020201434B2

AU2020201434B2 - Improved components and methods for long wall mining

Info

Publication number: AU2020201434B2
Application number: AU2020201434A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Hunter
Original assignee: Hunter Mining Methods Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Hunter Mining Methods Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-30
Filing date: 2020-02-27
Publication date: 2021-06-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-27
Also published as: CN114270014A; AU2020201434A1; WO2021016657A1; AU2020201435B1

Abstract

A guide for facilitating introduction and/or installation of a liner into a long wall mine, the guide including a mount portion and a guide portion for guiding the liner. 200-2 203 206 204 202 FIG. 10 200 201 203 205 204 FIG. 11 501 202 20 206 FIG. 12a FIG. 12

Description

200-2

203

206

204

202

FIG. 10

200

201

203

205

204

FIG. 11

501

202

20

206 FIG. 12a

FIG. 12

P5785AU01 1

IMPROVED COMPONENTS AND METHODS FOR LONG WALL MINING

Field of the invention

[001] The present invention relates to long wall mining, and, in particular, to components that facilitate the introduction and/or installation of liners, like geosynthetics or the like, into

longwall mines, and methods of installing the liners.

Background of the Invention

[002] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication

appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

[003] The following basic overview of longwall coal mining is made with reference to figures

19 and 20 which provide simplified schematics of the general parts and processes. In long wall mining, a shearer (1) runs along a coal face (2) and, with each pass, progressively removes

slices or 'webs' of coal. Sheared coal is captured by a conveyor (3) which transports it to 'roadways' or 'gates' (4, 5) that travel perpendicular to the coal face (2). A series of roof

supports (500), often referred to as 'chocks' or 'powered roof supports', are lined up along

the coal face (2) to support the roof area (7) immediately in front of the coal face (1). The conveyor (3) and shearer (1) are protected beneath the canopies/shields (501) of the roof

supports/chocks (500). With each pass of the shearer (3), the coal face (1) recedes, and the roof supports (500) and other equipment are progressed forward. With forward progression

of the roof supports/chocks (500), the roof area trailing the supports (8), which is no longer supported, collapses.

[004] Once shearing/mining is complete, removal of the roof supports/chocks (500) from a longwall mine can be dangerous, as the roof area previously supported is at risk of collapse.

One method to assist with removal is to line the roof area with a stabilizing liner, like, for example, a geogrid, which effectively establishes a protective cocoon. The liner (6) is

introduced at or near to completion of shearing and fed over the roof supports (500) in a multi-step processthat includes sequentially progressingthe roof support/chocks (500) to pin

the liner against the roof area. Once the liner is in place, removal of the chocks can commence

P5785AU01 2

safely, as the liner acts to support the roof area. Typically, with the removal of each roof support/chock (500), fixed supports are erected in their place, to maintain the liner in place

against the roof area.

[005] As the coal face of a longwall mine can be hundreds of meters long, introducing

and/installing the liner is difficult. The sheer size of the liner makes it heavy and difficult to manage. Present methods introduce the liner (6) in a rolled up form. The liner is introduced

to the coal face line/roadway from one of the perpendicular gates/roadways (e.g. 4, 5) that lead thereto. To facilitate this, guides (7) may be installed to assist with directing the liner

around bends/corners e.g. between the gates and the coal face.

[006] At the coal face, the liner is fed into hangers suspended at the underside of each support/chock canopy. Once in position in the hangers, the liner is progressively

unrolled/unraveled with the aid of winches at each chock. The winches pull the leading edge of the liner close to the tip of the support/chock canopies (501). The canopies are then

sequentially lowered and progressed forward before being re-elevated to pin the liner against

the roof area of the mine. This process is repeated until the liners extend completely over the roof support/chocks (500). In some cases, to facilitate the pinning process, an additional

extension element may be fitted to the support/chock canopy tip, which allows the liner to be pulled further out from the canopy tip. In addition, some support/chock canopies, like

flipper canopies, have powered hinged tips and that can facilitate pinning of the liner.

[007] Current hanger components have disadvantages at least in that, when they are no longer needed, they have to be manually removed from the supports/chocks. This can

consume considerable time and man power, and often, hangers can get lost or left behind in

the mine once removed. Also, prior to mounting to the supports/chocks, it is necessary to separately transport the numerous hangers into the mine. Similarly, guide components need

to be manually installed/dissembled as required.

[008] The present invention seeks to provide and improved components and methods for longwall mining, and, in particular, the methods and components thereof, that facilitate the

introduction and/or installation of stabilising liners into long wall mines.

P5785AU01 3

Summary of the Invention

[009] In one broad form, the present invention provides a guide for facilitating introduction

and/or installation of a liner into a long wall mine, the guide including: a mount portion; and a guide portion for guiding the liner.

[010] In one form, the guide portion is movable between retracted position and a deployed position. In one form, the guide portion is hingedly connected to the mount portion so as to

allow movement between the retracted position and the deployed position.

[011] In one form, the guide portion includes a column about which the liner is guided. In one form, in use, the column is suspended in a substantially vertical orientation. In one form,

the column includes a substantially smooth curved surface for contactingly directing the liner. In one form, the column is substantially cylindrical.

[012] In one form, the column includes a ledge laterally protruding therefrom, the ledge for

supporting the liner in an elevated position.

[013] In one form, the column or a portion thereof is rotatable about the elongate axis of

the column.

[014] In one form, the guide portion is substantially L-shaped.

[015] In one form, the guide portion includes a stopper portion located thereon that abuts the mount portion to prohibit over rotation of the guide portion beyond the deployed

position.

[016] In one form, the liner is a geogrid.

[017] In one form, the mount portion is integral with a canopy portion of a roof support. In

one form, the mount portion is configured to be secured to a canopy portion of a roof support. In one form, the roof support is a hydraulic roof support or chock.

P5785AU01 4

[018] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a roof support including a guide as in any one of the forms described herein.

[019] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a method for lining a long wall

mine with a stabilizing liner, the method including the steps of:

a. introducing two or more rolls of liner into a long wall mine; b. unraveling a first of the two or more rolls of liner and pinning same to the mine ceiling;

c. securing the trailing edge of the first roll to the leading edge of a subsequent roll; and d. unraveling the subsequent roll and pinning same to the mine ceiling.

[020] In one form, the leading and/or trailing edges of the rolls include a rigidifying member

that extends therealong. In one form, the rigidifying member is a metal cable or wire, sewn into the liner edge.

[021] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a hanger for facilitating

introduction and/or installation of a liner into a long wall mine, the hanger including: a mount

portion; and a hanger portion for suspending the liner in an elevated position, wherein the hanger portion is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

[022] In one form, the hanger portion includes a base with a roller. In one form, the hanger

portion further includes a connector member that connects the base to the mount portion. In one form, the connector member is hingedly connected between the base and mount

portion.

[023] In one form, in the stowed positon, the base is folded against the connector member.

In one form, in the deployed position, the hanger portion has a substantially L-shaped profile.

[024] In one form, the hanger further includes at least one extendable arm pivotally connected between the mount and hanger portions, the at least one extendable arm

operable to move the hanger portion between the stowed and deployed positions. In one form, the extendable arms are hydraulically powered.

P5785AU01 5

[025] In one form, the liner is a geogrid.

[026] In one form, the mount portion is integral with a canopy portion of a roof support. In one form, the mount portion is configured to be secured to a canopy portion of a roof support.

In one form, the roof support is a hydraulic roof support or chock.

[027] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a roof support including a

hanger as described in any one of the forms herein.

[028] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a stabilizing liner, like a geosynthetic or the like, including a rigidifying member extending along at least one edge

thereof.

[029] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a hanger for facilitating

introduction and/or installation of a liner into a long wall mine, the hanger including: a mount portion; and a hanger portion for suspending the liner in an elevated position, the hanger

portion including: a base with a roller; and a connector member that connects the base to the mount portion, wherein the hanger portion is moveable between a stowed position and a

deployed position.

[030] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a hanger for facilitating

introduction and/or installation of a roll of liner into a long wall mine, the hanger including: a

mount portion configured to be mounted to a roof support, or that is integral with a roof support; and a hanger portion hingedly connected to the mount portion to allow movement

between a stowed position and a deployed position, the hanger portion for suspending the roll of liner in an elevated position above a floor of the long wall mine, the hanger portion

including a base with a roller configured to receive the roll of liner thereupon, and to facilitate conveyance of the roll of liner over the base.

Brief Description of the drawings

[031] A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will follow, byway of example

only, with reference to a selection of the accompanying figures, in which:

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Figure 1 is an isometric view of one example of a guide according to the invention, with guide portion thereof in a deployed position;

Figure 2 is a front view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a deployed position;

Figure 3a is a side view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a deployed

position; Figure 3b is an enlarged side view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a

deployed position; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a transitory

position, between a deployed position and a retracted position; Figure 5 is a front view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a transitory

position, between a deployed position and a retracted position; Figure 6a is a side view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a transitory

position, between a deployed position and a retracted position; Figure 6b is an enlarged side view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a

transitory position, between a deployed position and a retracted position;

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a retracted position;

Figure 8 is a front view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a retracted position;

Figure 9a is a side view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a retracted position;

Figure 9b is an enlarged side view of the guide of figure 1, with guide portion thereof in a retracted position;

Figure 10 is an isometric view of one example of a hanger according to the invention, with the

hanger portion thereof in the deployed position; Figure 11 is a front view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof in the

deployed position; Figure 12a is a side view the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof in the

deployed position; Figure 12b is an enlarged side view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof

in the deployed position;

P5785AU01 7

Figure 13 is an isometric view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof in a transitory position, between a deployed position and a stowed position;

Figure 14 is a front view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof in a transitory position, between a deployed position and a stowed position;

Figure 15a is a side view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof in a

transitory position, between a deployed position and a stowed position; Figure 15b is an enlarged side view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof

in a transitory position, between a deployed position and a stowed position; Figure 16 is an isometric view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof in a

stowed position; Figure 17 isa frontview of the hangerof figure 10, with the hanger portionthereof in a stowed

position; Figure 18a is a side view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof in a

stowed position; Figure 18b is an enlarged side view of the hanger of figure 10, with the hanger portion thereof

in a stowed position;

Figure 19 is top schematic view of a longwall mine, showing roof support/chock arrangement along a coal face; and

Figure 20 is a simplified side schematic view of longwall mining.

Detailed description

[032] Embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and components

for longwall mining that facilitate the installation and/or introduction of stabilising liners, like geosynthetics, geogrids or the like.

[033] In one aspect, the present invention provides an improved guide for facilitating the introduction and/or installation of a liner into a long wall mine. The guide is typically for

facilitating direction of the liner around a bend or corner. The guide includes a mount portion and a guide portion for guiding the liner. Generally, the mount portion is secured or integrally

formed with a roof support/chock (typically to the canopy). In typical use, the guide would be located at a roof support/chock at the end of the support/chock line (e.g. 500a), near to a

bend/corner leading in to the coal face from an adjacent gate/roadway (e.g. 4, 5).

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[034] The guide portion of the guide is movable between a retracted position and deployed

position. This provides that, rather than having to remove/dissemble the guide, as was the case with prior art guides, the presently described guide can simply be retracted when not in

use. Generally, the guide portion is hingedly connected to the mount portion so as to allow

movement between the retracted position and the deployed position.

[035] It will be appreciated that, in varying forms, the guide may be secured to or may be integral with a roof support/chock. Generally though, the mount portion of the guide is

configured to be secured to the canopy portion of a roof support/chock. It will also be appreciated that the mount portion may be configured to mount to other parts of the roof

support/chock.

[036] The guide portion of the guide, that extends from the mount portion, typically includes a column about which the liner is guided. In use, the column is suspended in a substantially

vertical orientation and liner is drawn around the column as the liner is pulled/drawn around

a bend. The column includes a substantially smooth curved surface for contactingly directing the liner, which, as previously described, is generally in a rolled up form. Typically, the column

is substantially cylindrical.

[037] It will be appreciated that, in the absence of a guide, additional manpower would be needed to guide the liner roll around a bend, or the liner could come into contact with the

corners between mine passages/roadways and get damaged/torn.

[038] To assist with keeping the liner elevated above the mine floor, the column of the guide

portion may include ledge laterally protruding therefrom. The roll of liner, as it travels about the column, typically rests or is supported by the ledge. The guide portion of the guide

(comprising column and ledge) typically has an L- shape. To allow implementation of the guide in a "right-turn" or "left-turn" mode, the column or part thereof may be rotatable such that

the ledge can be reoriented. Accordingly, the guide can be adjusted to receive a liner roll coming from different directions (i.e. around a left turn bend/right turn bend) without having

to be disassembled and re-installed.

P5785AU01 9

[039] The guide may also have a stopping mechanism that prohibits over rotation of the

guide portion beyond the deployed position i.e. after transition from the retracted position. Typically, to achieve this, a stopper is located on the guide portion to abut the mount portion

as it reaches the deployed position.

[040] One particular example of a guide for directing a roll of liner around a bend within a

long wall mine is shown in figures 1 to 9. The guide (100) as shown includes a mount portion (102) for securement of the guide (100) to the canopy (501) of a roof support/chock (500). In

this example, the mount potion (102) includes two substantially perpendicular plates (102a, 102b) configured to respectively meet the sidewall and underside of the canopy (501) of a

roof support (500).

[041] A guide portion (103) is hingedly connected to the mount portion (102), and, as previously described, is for guiding a roll of liner (not shown) around a bend. Typically the

guide (100) is secured to a support/chock at the end of a chock line (e.g. 500a), to facilitate

entry of the liner from the mine gates/roadways (e.g. 4, 5) that travel perpendicular to the coal face. The guide portion (103) is substantially L-shaped comprising a column (104) and a

ledge (105) extending laterally therefrom. In use, the liner is supported on the ledge (105) in an elevated position above the mine floor and drawn around the column (104). The column

(104) is substantially cylindrical such that it provides a curved, substantially smooth surface to contact the liner as it is drawn there around. The smoothness/curvature of the column is

such that the liner, as it is drawn around the column (104), is not damaged. The top surface (105a) of the ledge is also curved, to prevent damage to the liner.

[042] To allow reorientation of the ledge (105) such that the guide (100) can be in a "left turn" or "right-turn" mode (i.e. to permit the liner roll to be drawn around a left turning bend

or right turning bend), the column (104) includes a rotatable sleeve portion (104a) that is rotatable to reorient the ledge (105).

[043] The guide portion (103) is movable between a deployed position, as is shown in figures

1 to 3, and a retracted position, as is shown in figures 7 to 9. Figures 4 to 6 show a transitory

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position between the retracted and deployed positions. In the deployed position, the column (104) is suspended in a substantially vertical orientation, beneath the support/chock canopy.

In the retracted position, the column (104) is lifted to extend laterally from the chock canopy (i.e. to be in a substantially horizontal plane). It is thus apparent, that when retracted, the

guide portion (103) will not interfere with people/equipment beneath the canopy (501). To

facilitate with lifting of the guide portion (103) to the retracted position, linker elements (107) are included for engagement, for example, with hydraulic rams.

[044] To prohibit over rotation from the retracted position beyond the deployed position, the column (103) includes a stopper (106) protruding from an upper portion thereof, in the direction of the support/chock canopy (501). The stopper (106) includes a top surface (106a)

configured to engage with the underside of mount portion plate (102b) that is secured to the underside of the canopy (501). It will be appreciated that, in other forms, such as when the

guide (100)issecured to the canopy by other means,orisintegralthereto, the stopper(106) may simply abut the underside of the canopy (501) to prohibit over rotation of the guide

portion beyond the deployed position.

[045] It will be appreciated that the guide portion (103) may be stowed/deployed/rotated

non-manually, such as, for example, via electronic and/or hydraulic control. Manual control may also be possible.

[046] It will also be appreciated that as the guides as described herein may be fixedly

secured or integral with the roof support/chock canopies, they can simply be deployed and retracted as required. This is advantageous over prior art guide which were typically onerous

to transport, install and remove. The guides as described herein can also be easily re

oriented/rotated between "right turn" and "left turn" modes.

[047] According to a further aspect the present invention provides an improved hanger for facilitating introduction and/or installation of a liner into a longwall mine. The hanger includes

a mount portion and hanger portion for suspending liner in an elevated position. The hanger portion is movable between a stowed position and deployed position.

P5785AU01 11

[048] It will be appreciated that the mount portion may be configured to be secured to a roof support/chock or may be integral therewith. Typically, the mount portion is located such

that the hanger portion is suspended from the underside of the roof support/chock canopy.

[049] The hanger portion of the hanger generally includes a base with a roller, on which the

liner is supported. It will be appreciated that in typical use multiple neighboring hangers on respective neighboring supports/chock would support and elongate length of rolled up liner.

The roller allows the liner to be more readily drawn through/over the hanger/s, such as, for example when being pulled along the coal face.

[050] Typically, the hanger portion include a connector member that connects the base to

the mount portion, and is hingedly connected therebetween. This allows movement of the hanger portion between the stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position, the

hanger portion typically lies substantially flat against the underside of the canopy of the roof support/chock. Generally, to achieve this, the base is folded against the connector member.

Typically, in the deployed position, the hanger portion is unfolded such that the base and

connector member provide a substantially L-shaped profile.

[051] To facilitate movement between the stowed and deployed positions, the hanger may include at least one extendable arm pivotally connected between the mount portion and the

hanger portion. The at least one extendable arm being operable to drive the hanger portion between the stowed position and deployed positions. The at least one extendable arm may

be, for example, hydraulically powered. It will also be appreciated that the extendable arm(s) may be connected between parts of the roof support/chock and the hanger portion, to move

the hanger portion between deployed and stowed positions.

[052] One particular example of a hanger (200) is shown in figures 10 to 18. Figures 10 to 12

show the hanger (200) in the deployed position. The hanger includes a mount portion (201), via which the hanger is secured to the underside of a roof support/chock canopy (501). The

mount portion (201) is formed of a rectangular frame (201a) and crosspiece (201b) that extends between the elongate sides of the frame (201a).

P5785AU01 12

[053] A hanger portion (202) extends from the mount portion (201), and includes a connector member (203) and base (204). The connector member (203) is located between

and connects the base (204) to the mount portion (201). At the proximal end thereof, the connector member (203) is hingedly connected to the mount portion (201), whilst at the distal

end, it connects with the base (204). In this example, both the connector member (203) and

base (204) take the form of rectangular frames.

[054] The base (204) is for supporting the liner thereon, and includes a roller thereon (205) to facilitate travel/conveyance of the liner over/though the hanger. Whilst the distal end of

the connector member/frame (203) is also hingedly connected to the base (204), the connection therebetween is restricted such that the hanger portion (202) does not extend

beyond a substantially L-shaped profile. The hanger portion (202) is thus moveable between a deployed position, where it has an L-shaped profile (i.e. as in figures 10-12) and a stowed

position where it lays substantially flat against the underside of the canopy (501) (i.e. as in figures 16 to 18). As shown, in the stowed positon, the frames for the mount portion (201),

connector member (203), and base (204) are substantially stacked/aligned.

[055] To arrive in the stowed position, the base (204) is first folded to lay against the

connector member (204), and then both components further folded to lay against or in line with the mount portion (201). Figures 13 to 15 show a transitory position of the hanger

portion (200) with the base (204) partially folded toward the connector member (203).

[056] To facilitate deployment and stowage of the hanger portion (202), two extendable arms (206) in the form of hydraulic rams are pivotally coupled between the mount portion

(201) and the connector member (203) such that, on extension of the arms (206), the hanger

portion (202) is moved into the stowed position and, on retraction of the arms (206), the hanger portion (206) is moved into the deployed are position. The arms (206) may also be

implemented to limit over rotation of the connector member (203) such that, on deployment of the hanger portion (202), the connector member (203) does not rotate beyond a

substantially vertical alignment beneath the canopy (501).

P5785AU01 13

[057] It will be appreciated that the hanger portion (202) may be stowed/deployed non manually, such as, for example, via electronic and/or hydraulic control. Manual control may

also be possible.

[058] It will also be appreciated that as the hangers as described herein may be fixedly

secured or integral with the roof support/chock canopies, they can thus simply be deployed and stowed as required. This is advantageous over prior art hangers which were typically

loosely hooked to the support/chock canopies when required and thereafter had to be manually removed. Prior art hangers where also prone to swaying, which made loading of the

liner difficult. The open L-shaped profile of the hanger portions as described herein also allow for a greater width of base, and so, multiple rolls of liner may be supported and drawn

through the hangers simultaneously.

[059] It will be appreciated to a skilled person that the stabilizing liner as referred to herein may take a variety of forms and may be any suitable sheet, mesh, grid, liner, cloth, fabric for

supporting the roof area of a mine. Typical examples are geosynthetics, like geogrids or the

like. Similarly, it will be appreciate that the roof support/chocks, conveyors, shearers and other equipment may also take a variety of the forms. The roof support is typically a hydraulic

roof support or chock.

[060] A further aspect of the invention, in which the above described hangers and guides may be implemented, relates to the introduction/installation of more than one liner roll into

the hangers before unravelling and pinning same to the mine roof/wall. Prior methods only place a single liner roll into the hangers.

[061] A two or more liner roll process/system/method, provides that multiple smaller and lighter rolls may be used, as opposed to one larger and relatively heavier roll. As would be

appreciated, smaller and lighter rolls are easier to handle and are therefore easier to introduce into the mine. In addition, smaller diameter rolls can be unraveled in less time.

[062] In a two roll system, for example, each roll of liner is sequentially drawn into the

hangers (e.g. by the shearer or by a winch). As described previously, guides may be used to

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guide the rolls around corners/bends within the mine as they are introduced. The two rolls are located side by side in the hangers, such that they extend parallel to one another along

the length of the coal face.

[063] The roll located closest to the coal face is first unraveled and pinned to the mine roof

(e.g. by sequential chock/support/canopy movement), before the second roll is unraveled and pinned. To facilitate roof pinning and securement of the rolls/sheets together, the leading

and/or trailing edges of the rolls/sheets include a rigidifying member that extends therealong. In one example, the rigidifying member is a metal wire or cable that is sewn into the liner

edge. This provides a level of rigidity to the leading and/or trailing edges of the rolls/sheets such that they may be more easily pinned to the mine roof and secured together.

[064] For example, once the first roll is unraveled, the trailing edge thereof is aligned with

the leading edge of the second roll. The rigidity provided bythe metal cable/wire that extends along the neighboring edges facilitates alignment of the edges, and allows securement clips

(to secure the edges together) to be spaced further apart. Furthermore, when securing the

joined edges to the roof/ceiling of the mine, using roof bolts or the like, there is less sagging. Often a single roof bolt (like a T-shaped bolt) may be inserted between the join secure both

neighboring edges to the roof/ceiling (i.e. trailing edge of first roll, and leading edge of subsequent roll).

[065] Having the leading edges more rigid also provides advantages in that during initial

pinning of the liners, by the chock/support canopy tips, there is less sagging. Also, once the liner has fully extended over the roof supports/chocks, to the areas where the roof has

collapsed, the rigidity of the liner aids to pinning the liner in place, e.g. amongst the

rubble/fallen rock.

[066] It will be appreciated that a further aspect of the invention also relates to a novel stabilizing liner that includes a rigidifying member extending along at least one of it edges.

Typically, for liner rolls that are to be inserted in a long wall mine, a rigidifying member extends along the leading and trailing edge of the liner. It will also be appreciated

P5785AU01 15

methods/process/systems may be implemented where more than 2 liner rolls are introduced and sequentially pinned.

[067] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense

of "consisting only of". A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

[068] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms

without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and

all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to

be embraced therein.

Claims

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The claims 1. A hanger for facilitating introduction and/or installation of a roll of liner into a long wall

mine, the hanger including: a mount portion configured to be mounted to a roof support, or that is integral

with a roof support; and

a hanger portion hingedly connected to the mount portion to allow movement between a stowed position and a deployed position, the hanger portion for suspending

the roll of liner in an elevated position above a floor of the long wall mine, the hanger portion including a base with a roller configured to receive the roll of liner thereupon,

and to facilitate conveyance of the roll of liner over the base.
2. The hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hanger portion includes a connector member, the connector member being hingedly connected between the base and

mount portion.
3. The hanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in the stowed position, the base is folded

against the connector member.
4. The hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the deployed position, the hanger portion has a substantially L-shaped profile.
5. The hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including at least one extendable arm pivotally connected between the mount and hanger portions, the at

least one extendable arm operable to move the hanger portion between the stowed and deployed positions.
6. The hanger as claimed in claim 5, wherein the extendable arm/s is/are hydraulically

powered.
7. The hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roll of liner is a roll of geogrid.

P5785AU01 17
8. The hanger as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the mount portion is integral with a canopy portion of the roof support.
9. The hanger as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mount portion is

configured to be secured to a canopy portion of the roof support.
10. The hanger as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the roof support is a hydraulic roof

support or chock.
11. A roof support including a hanger as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.