AU2021236498A1

AU2021236498A1 - Method of installing protective mesh lining in an underground tunnel

Info

Publication number: AU2021236498A1
Application number: AU2021236498A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Eamonn Hancock
Original assignee: Newcrest Mining Ltd
Current assignee: Newcrest Mining Ltd
Priority date: 2021-09-22
Filing date: 2021-09-22
Publication date: 2023-04-06

Abstract

An assembly (10) for installing a protective lining (L) to a roof of an underground tunnel comprises a support member (12) to support a roll of a protective lining and a pair of arms (11) couplable to (a) a boom (13) of a rock drilling or other suitable machine (14) and (b) the support member. The arms are configured to space the roll from the machine during use. A first arm (15) is configured to be moveable with respect to a second arm (25) along the length of the boom. In use, when the roll of protective mesh is supported by the support member and the pair of arms is coupled to the boom, relative movement between the arms allows the lining to be unwound from the roll without contacting the machine. 5/6 R 13 L FIGURE 9 R T 13 L 31 B FIGURE 10

Description

5/6 R

13

L

FIGURE 9 R

T

13

L 31

B

FIGURE 10

METHOD OF INSTALLING PROTECTIVE MESH LINING IN AN UNDERGROUND TUNNEL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of installing a protective mesh lining in an underground tunnel and to an assembly facilitating the method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Underground tunnels, including exploration and production drives in underground mines, require ground support systems that are installed as protective linings to support and reinforce the excavation.

The following description focuses on exploration and production drives in underground mines.

Typically, protective linings comprise of welded mesh sheets (a net-like protective mesh) that is fastened to tunnel walls and ceilings (described as "backs" in the industry) by rock bolts and other fixing elements. The protective lining is integral to ground support design to ensure the ground support system has a very high dynamic capacity necessary for operating mines in deep and high stress conditions where seismic events are a hazard.

Conventionally, sheets of protective wire mesh are lifted into position by a drilling machine called a Jumbo against walls and ceilings by the drill steel and rock bolts are inserted into pre-drilled holes and are grouted in position, with bearing plates (rock bolt plates) positioned against the mesh in the area of the drilled holes, and nuts are tensioned onto threaded ends of the rock bolts to apply tension to the rock bolts and hold the mesh sheets in position. Such installation methods are labour intensive and time consuming as the mesh sheeting needs to be installed as units across the mined excavation surface.

It is a requirement to line each new section of a drive in an underground mine before carrying out work, such as drilling and blasting, to form the next and successive sections of the drive.

The speed of lining each drive section is one of several important factors in mine establishment and expansion. It is important to minimise the time required to support with ground support elements all new drive sections.

Against this backdrop, attempts have been made to speed up the lining installation process. One attempt involves the use of mesh in rolls of mesh rather than as mesh sheets. For example, Australian Patent Application No. 2009278321 discloses a bespoke machine for rolls of mesh, and Australian Patent Application No. 2019200996 further refines the concept by providing an installation device retrofittable to a boom of a standard mining jumbo.

The present invention provides an alternative to these and other devices known to the applicant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an assembly that can be mounted to a machine having a boom, such as but not limited to a rock drilling machine, for installing a protective lining to at least a roof of an underground tunnel, the assembly comprising: a support member configured to support a roll of a protective lining; a pair of arms couplable to the boom and to the support member configured to space the roll from the machine during use, with a first arm being configured to be moveable with respect to a second arm along the length of the boom; wherein, in-use, when the roll of protective mesh is supported by the support member and the pair of arms is coupled to the boom, relative movement between the arms allows the lining to be unwound from the roll without contacting the machine.

The invention also provides an assembly for installing a protective lining to at least a roof of an underground tunnel comprising: a machine having a boom, such as but not limited to a rock drilling machine; a support member configured to support a roll of a protective lining; a pair of arms coupled to the boom and to the support member configured to space the roll from the machine during use, with a first arm being configured to be moveable with respect to a second arm along the length of the boom; wherein, in-use, when the roll of protective mesh is supported by the support member and the pair of arms is coupled to the boom, relative movement between the arms allows the lining to be unwound from the roll without contacting the machine.

Throughout the installation process, the roll and the lining being dispensed therefrom does not contact the boom or the remainder of the rock drilling machine (or any other suitable machine). Therefore, advantageously, there is less risk of entanglement of the lining with the rock drilling machine, and, accordingly, less risk of damage to both the lining and the rock drilling machine and fouling of the lining L with the drilling machine 14. Any loss of integrity of the lining L is a serious issue. In addition, fouling of the lining L with the drilling machine 14 is also a serious issue in terms of loss of productivity. Furthermore, in use, relative movement of the pair of arms towards each other may apply a braking force onto the roll therebetween to enable lining to be selectively unwound from the roll. By selectively applying a braking force to the roll, uncontrolled unrolling of the lining from the roll can be prevented, resulting in a controlled feed length.

In some embodiments, each arm may have a receiving portion engageable with the support member and a spacing portion extending therefrom to thereby space the roll away from the boom. The receiving portion of each arm may extend substantially perpendicularly to the spacing portion to provide each arm with an L shape. The receiving portion of each arm may be insertable into respective ends of the support member. The support member may be insertable into a centre of the roll. The support member provides support to the roll of lining material and a positive location for engaging with the receiving portions of the arms.

The first arm may include a base portion that is slidably mountable to a rail of the boom. The base portion may include a slot through which a drive cable of a drifter of the rock drilling machine is passable.

The first arm may include a connecting portion for coupling the first arm to a drifter of the rock drilling machine. The connecting portion may project outwardly from the spacer portion of the first arm to receive a shaft of the drifter. By connecting the first arm to the drifter, movement of the first arm can be provided by the existing controls of the rock drilling machine.

The second arm may be fixedly couplable to the boom.

The second arm may include a bore configured to allow passage of rock bolts therethrough, the rock bolt being configured to fix the lining to the underground tunnel. Advantageously, it is not necessary to remove the second arm from the rock drilling machine when using the boom to install rock bolts to fixedly attach the lining to the tunnel or to perform other drilling tasks. This reduces the duration of setup time required to fit the assembly to the rock drilling machine.

The assembly may further include a guide member mountable to the support member, the guide member configured to positively guide the receiving portion of at least one of the arms into alignment therewith. The guide member may be cone shaped. The guide member simplifies the task of locating the receiving portion into alignment with the support member and accordingly the roll, which is particularly advantageous when the end of the arm and/or roll may not be visible to an operator of the rock drilling machine.

The machine may be a rock drilling machine that includes a second boom for supporting and inserting a rock bolt into a hole in a section of the underground tunnel to fix the lining thereto. As such, one boom of the rock drilling machine may be used to support and unwind the roll of protective lining, and the other boom may be used to fix the lining to the tunnel with a rock bolt. Accordingly, a single rock drilling machine can be used to perform the complete installation process.

There is also provided a method of installing a protective lining to an underground tunnel with a machine, such as a rock drilling machine, the method comprising the steps of: (i) supporting a roll of lining with a support member and (ii) engaging the support member and the roll supported therewith with a pair of arms coupled to a boom of the machine, with the arms holding the roll in a spaced relationship away from and clear of contact with the boom such that, in-use, the lining can be unwound from the roll without contacting the machine.

The method may further comprise a step of coupling the pair of arms to the boom, including slidably coupling a first arm to a rail of the boom and connecting the first arm to a drifter drill of the rock drilling machine, prior to step (ii).

Alternatively, or additionally, the method may further comprise a step of moving a or the first arm towards a second arm to apply a braking force to the roll to selectively unwind the lining therefrom.

In some embodiments step (i) may comprise inserting the support member into the centre of the roll, prior to step (ii). Likewise, step (ii) may comprise positively guiding at least one of the arms into alignment with the support member with a guide member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly for installing a protective lining to an underground tunnel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing a pair of arms coupled to a boom of a rock drilling machine;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first arm of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second arm of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support member of the assembly of Figure 1 for supporting the protective lining;

Figure 5 is a photograph of the assembly of Figure 1, showing a connecting portion of the first arm connected to a rail of a rock drilling machine that is partially shown in the Figure;

Figure 6 is a photograph showing the support member of Figure 4 being inserted into a centre of a roll of protective lining;

Figure 7 is a photograph showing a guide member of the assembly of Figure 1 mounted to the support member of the roll of protective lining to assist in coupling the arms thereto;

Figure 8 is a photograph showing the roll of protective lining coupled between the arms of the assembly of Figure 1, with the arms mounted to and supported by the rock drilling machine;

Figure 9 is a photograph showing the assembly in use, mounted to the boom of the rock drilling machine illustrating the boom positioning the roll of lining against a ceiling of a tunnel and unrolling a section of the lining onto the ceiling o in a direction transverse to the lengthwise extending direction of the tunnel;

Figure 10 is a photograph showing the assembly in use at a later stage of the installation process, illustrating a second boom of the rock drilling machine fixing the protective lining in place with rock bolts; and

Figure 11 is a flowchart outlining a method for installing a protective lining to an underground tunnel, using the assembly of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general terms, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the Figures relates to an assembly 10 for installing a protective lining L to at least a ceiling of a drive T of an underground mine. The drive T may be an exploration or production drive of the underground mine. The invention is not limited to mining applications, and, indeed, is contemplated for use in other underground tunnelling applications.

The assembly 10 includes a support member 12 for a roll R of protective lining and a pair of arms 11 adapted to hold the support member 12 and the roll R.

The arms 11 are couplable (and are shown coupled in some Figures) to a boom 13 of a rock drilling machine 14. In the Figures, the rock drilling machine 14 is a two-boom jumbo, but it is understood that this could be any suitable rock drilling machine or, indeed, any other type of machine suitable for performing the required functions of supporting the assembly and moving the roll R across a section of walls and the roof of the drive and allowing mesh on the roll R to unwind with this movement.

The arms 11 are formed as rigid arms and are dimensioned so that, when the arms 11 are coupled to the boom 13, the roll R is held away from the rock drilling machine 14. The arms 11 are configured so that, in use of the assembly 10 for installing the lining L to at least the ceiling of the drive T of the underground mine, the lining L can be unwound from the roll R without contacting the rock drilling machine 14.

A first arm 15 can be moveably couplable to the rock drilling machine 14. The first arm 15 is shown in Figure 2. The first arm 15 is formed from steel and includes a base portion 16 that can be coupled to a rail of the boom 13. As illustrated, the base portion 16 includes an angled lower surface 17 that has a profile that conforms to an upper part of the rail.

The assembly also includes a rail keeper 18 (partially shown in Figure 5) providing a second angled surface that has a profile that conforms to a lower part of the rail.

As can best shown in Figure 5, in use, the rail keeper 18 is attachable to the base portion 16 via bolts.

When attached in this way, the base portion 16 and the rail keeper 18 are clamped together and mount the first arm 15 to the rail of the boom for sliding movement along a longitudinal axis of the rail, so that the first arm 15 can therefore translate along a length of the boom 13 as required, for example when first coupling a roll R to the boom or when applying a braking force to the roll R during use of the assembly.

As can best be seen in Figure 2, the first arm 15 includes a receiving portion 19 for engaging with the support member 12 of the roll R. As shown in Figure 1, the receiving portion 19 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom 13. The receiving portion 19 is rod-shaped, and insertable into the support member 12 to engage therewith, and thereby secure the roll R to the boom 13. A conical tip 20, assists aligning with the support member 12.

An elongate spacing portion 21 extends between the base portion 16 and the receiving portion 19 of the first arm 15. As shown in Figure 1, with the base portion 16 coupled to the boom 13, the spacing portion 21 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom 13. Together, the spacing portion 21 and the receiving portion 19 provide the first arm 15 with an L-shaped configuration. The spacing portion 21 has a length greater than a radius of the roll R. The length is selected so that, when the support member 12 is engaged with the receiving portion 19 of the first arm, the roll R is spaced away from the boom 13 and does not make contact therewith. Because the roll R does not make contact with the boom 13, or any other part of the rock drilling machine 14, the risk of entanglement of the lining L with the drilling machine 14 is reduced. Along with other factors, this reduces potential damage to both the drilling machine 14 and the lining L.

A connecting portion 22 provides a connection means between the first arm 15 and a drifter

23 of the first boom 13 (best shown in Figure 5). The drifter 23 moves the first arm along the length of the boom, as required. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 22 is a cylindrical projection that extends outwardly from the spacing portion 21. The projection is internally threaded to connect with a correspondingly threaded shaft end of the drifter 23. It is also contemplated that other connecting portions 22 and locations thereof are possible.

The base portion 16 of the first arm 15 includes a slot 24. The slot 24 provides a passage for a drive cable 24 of the drifter 25 to pass therethrough. Accordingly, with the base portion 16 being slidingly engaged with a rail of the boom 13, and the connecting portion 22 being connected to the drifter 23, drive of the drifter 23 along the longitudinal axis of the boom 13 results in a corresponding translation of the first arm there along.

Moving now to Figure 3, which illustrates a second arm 25 of the pair of arms 11. The second arm 25 can be fixedly couplable to the boom 13 so that it is a stationary arm on the boom 13, in use, of the assembly 10 for installing the lining L to at least the ceiling of the drive T of the underground mine. Like the first arm 15, the second arm 25 includes a base portion 26. The base portion 26 is fixedly couplable to the boom 13 via bolts. A spacing portion 27 extends from the base portion 26, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boom 13. At a distal end of the spacing portion 27, a receiving portion 28 extends substantially at right angles thereto, so as to extend in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the boom 13. Like the receiving portion 19 of the first arm 15, the receiving portion 28 of the second arm 25 is configured for insertion into the support member 12.

The second arm 25 includes a bore 29. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the bore 29 extends through the spacing portion 27. The bore 29 is provided so as to enable a rock bolt B (shown in Figure 10) to pass therethrough. This is an important feature of the assembly 10, for it enables the second arm 25 to remain fitted to the rock drilling machine 14, even when the drifter 23 of the boom 13 is being used for other tasks such as drilling holes in the tunnel or fitting rock bolts B. Accordingly, only the first arm 15 need be installed and/or removed from the drilling machine 14 when setting up for lining of the tunnel. This reduces the amount of time spent preparing the machine 14 for performing the installation process.

Turning now to Figure 4, the support member 12 is a cylindrical pipe, that is insertable into a centre of the roll R of protective lining L. It is contemplated that the protective lining L is a wire mesh. Alternatively, the protective lining could also be a reinforced plastic material or similar. As illustrated in Figure 6, the support member 12 is inserted from an end of the roll R, and then pushed through. Accordingly, the support member 12 has a length similar to or slightly greater than the width of the roll R. The support member 12 provides structural support to the roll R, enabling it to be supported from its end without sagging. This is important, for it allows for the lining L to be unwound continuously from the roll R without damage or tangling or coiling. The hollow ends of the support member 12 are sized such that the receiving portions 19, 28 of the respective arms 15, 25 are insertable therein.

To assist with inserting the respective receiving portions 19,28 into either end of the support member 12, a guide member 30 is provided. The guide member 30 is best shown in Figures 4 and 7. As illustrated, the guide member 30 is cone shaped. In use, the guide member 30 is used to positively locate the arm 15/25 located at a far or distal end of the boom 13 with respect to the support member 12. By far or distal end, what is meant is the end of the boom that is furthest away from a cabin of an operator of the rock drilling machine 14, or the end located furthest from a camera or other sensor that is used for remote control thereof. In this way, the guide member 30 assists the operator in guiding the respective arm 15/25 into alignment with the support member 12, in circumstances where vision may be occluded or restricted.

With both arms 15, 25 being engaged with the support member 12, the roll R is held in a spaced relationship with respect to the boom 13. This is best illustrated in Figure 8. Because the roll R is held clear of the boom 13 (and by extension clear of the rock drilling machine 14), the lining L is free to be unwound from the roll R without contacting the boom 13. This reduces the risk of damage to both the lining L and the drilling machine 14 and fouling of the lining L with the drilling machine 14.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the assembly 10 in use, installing the lining L to at least a ceiling of a tunnel, in this case an underground mining drive T. As shown in Figure 9, as the boom 13 is moved across the ceiling of the drive T transversely to the lengthwise direction of the drive, the lining L freely unwinds from the roll R. This is because a first section of the lining L has already been fixed to the mining drive wall via rock bolts B (shown in Figure 10). Thus, as the boom 13 moves away from the fixed point, the lining unwinds under a combination of tension and gravity.

To prevent the lining L from unrolling unnecessarily and/or uncontrollable, a braking force can be applied thereto. The braking force is applied by relative movement between the arms 15 and 25. Specifically, to brake the roll R, the first arm 15 is translated moved towards the second arm 25, along the rail of the boom 13 by the drifter 23. Because the first arm 15 is moved by the existing drifter mechanism 23 and associated controls, additional control devices are not needed, nor specific training for the operator of the drilling machine 14 beyond their standard training to operate the boom 13 for other tasks. By moving the first arm 15 towards the second arm 25, the first arm 15 acts as a friction brake, preventing the lining L the feed of the lining L can be controlled as required. Put differently, the lining L can be selectively dispensed from the roll R by way of selective activation and deactivation of the friction brake by relative movement of the arms 11 with respect to each other.

The rock drilling machine 14 preferably includes a further, or second boom 31. This is shown most clearly in Figure 10. The second boom 31 enables the rock drilling machine 14 to simultaneously secure the lining L to the tunnel wall/ceiling, without the need for removing the first arm 15 of the assembly 10. Specifically, the second boom 31 includes a rock bolt assembly that is used to support and drive a rock bolt B into a pre-drilled hole in the tunnel surface, to thereby secure the protective lining L thereto. The pre-drilled holes can be made in the tunnel prior to the installation of the lining, using a drifter drill of either the first boom 13 or second boom 31. As such, in use, it is understood that the first boom 13 and second boom 31 work in tandem, with the first boom 13 being worked along the surface of the tunnel, and the second boom 31 following, and fixing the dispensed section of lining L in place. Accordingly, the rock drilling machine 14 provides an all-in-one solution to installing the lining L to the tunnel, without the need for separate pieces of machinery.

A method of installing the lining L to a tunnel such as an underground mining drive using the device 10 will now be described with reference to Figure 11.

In a coupling step 110, the pair of arms 11 is coupled to the boom 13 of the underground rock drilling machine 14. As described previously, it is noted that in-situ, it is possible that the second arm 25 is fitted prior to the first arm 15. This is because the second arm 25 can remain fitted to the boom 13 whilst said boom is being used for other tasks of the rock drilling machine, for example pre-drilling of the attachment holes for the rock bolts B.

During the coupling step 110, the first arm 15 and the second arm 25 are bolted onto boom 13 via their respective base portions 16, 26. The connecting portion 22 of the first arm 25 is then connected to the drifter 23 of the boom 13 in a connecting step 111. This enables the first arm 15 to be translated along the boom 13.

In a supporting step 120, the roll R of protective lining L is mounted to the support member 12. This step can occur before or after the coupling step 110. Furthermore, in the case of an assembly comprising more than one support member 12, multiple rolls R of lining L can be fitted to different support members 12, enabling for fast change-over at the termination of a given roll R.

During the supporting step 120, the support member 12 is inserted into the centre of the roll R in an inserting step 121. The support member 12 thus provides structural support to the roll R, in order to allow the roll R to subsequently be supported by the arms 15, 25 of the rock drilling machine 14. As shown in Figure 6, this inserting step 121 can be a manual step undertaken by an operator at the worksite. Alternatively, it is also contemplated that rolls R of lining L may be provided pre-fitted with a support member 12 as substantially described herein.

An engaging step 130 then follows the coupling and supporting steps 110, 120. During the engaging step 130, the receiving portions 19, 28 of the pair of arms 11 is brought into engagement with the support member 12. During step 130, the second arm 25 is guided into engagement with a distal end of the support member 12 via the guide member 30 in a guiding step 131. Step 131 is achieved through manoeuvring of the boom 13. Once the second arm 25 is engaged with the support member 12, the first arm 15 is then driven along the rail of the boom 13, into engagement with a proximal end of the support member 12. In this way, the translation of the first arm 15 along the boom 13 applies a clamping action to the support member 12, securing it between the pair of arms 11. As shown in Figure 7, it is understood that throughout the engaging step 130, it is envisaged that the roll R is located on the ground within the tunnel.

With the support member 12 - and by extension the roll R of lining L - engaged with the arms 11, the boom 13 can be lifted such that the roll R is supported in a raised position. During this holding step 140, the roll R is supported at its respective ends by the receiving portions 19,28 of the arms 11. Further, because of the spacing portions 21, 27 extending away from the base portions 16, 26, the roll R is held clear of the boom 13, free of the rock drilling machine 14. The lining L is now ready for installation along at least the ceiling and typically the walls and ceiling of the drive.

In a moving step 150, following the holding step 140, the boom 13 is moved along the surfaces of the drive to be lined, transversely to the direction of the drive. As the boom 13 is moved along the drive surface, a section of lining L unwinds from the roll R. The movement of the boom 13 along the drive surface is preferably an intermittent movement, that includes a braking step 151. The braking step 151 involves applying a frictional brake to the roll R, by translating the first arm 15 towards the second arm 25 thus clamping the roll R therebetween. The braking step 151 thus enables a selective length of lining L to be fed from the roll R, so as to maintain a desired tension.

The dispensed section of lining L can then be fixedly attached to the drive surface via rock bolts B in a securing step 160. Preferably, as described previously herein, this securing step 160 comprises a second boom 31 of the rock drilling machine 14 driving the rock bolts B into the holes that were pre-drilled into the rock surface prior to commencement of the unrolling of the lining L. The moving and securing steps 150 and 160 can then be repeated, until the desired coverage of lining along the tunnel is reached.

Summarily, it is understood that the present invention provides a device for installing a protective lining to an underground tunnel, such as a mining drive, that provides significant safety and productivity improvements over existing manual methods. Conventional industry practice requires workers to work underground to manually unroll and fix protective mesh to the drive surfaces, an arduous task with a high level of injury risk. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing an assembly that enables this task to be undertaken by an otherwise conventional rock drilling jumbo. The assembly includes a pair of arms couplable to a boom of the jumbo, for holding a roll of protective lining therebetween. The arms are configured such that throughout the installation process, the roll of lining is held clear of the boom and the remainder of the jumbo, reducing the chance of damage to both the jumbo and the lining itself.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

LEGEND Assembly 28 Receiving portion of second arm 11 Arms 29 Bore of second arm 12 Support member 30 Guide member 13 (first) Boom 31 (second) boom 14 Rock drilling machine First arm 110 Coupling step 16 Base portion of first arm 111 Connecting step 17 Angled surface of base portion 120 Supporting step 18 Rail keeper 121 Inserting step 19 Receiving portion of first arm 130 Engaging step Conical tip of receiving portion 140 Holding step 21 Spacing portion of first arm 150 Moving step 22 Connecting portion of first arm 151 Braking step 23 Drifter 160 Securing step 24 Slot of base portion Second arm L Protective Lining 26 Base portion of second arm R Roll of protective lining 27 Spacing portion of second arm T Tunnel

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An assembly that can be mounted to a machine having a boom for installing a protective lining to at least a roof of an underground tunnel, the assembly comprising: a support member configured to support a roll of a protective lining; a pair of arms couplable to the boom and to the support member configured to space the roll from the machine during use, with a first arm being configured to be moveable with respect to a second arm along the length of the boom; wherein, in use, when the roll of protective mesh is supported by the support member and the pair of arms is coupled to the boom, relative movement between the arms allows the lining to be unwound from the roll without contacting the machine.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each arm has a receiving portion engageable with the support member and a spacing portion extending therefrom to thereby space the roll away from the boom.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the receiving portion of each arm extends substantially perpendicularly to the spacing portion to provide each arm with an L shape.

4. The assembly of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the receiving portion of each arm is insertable into respective ends of the support member.

5. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support member is insertable into a centre of the roll.

6. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, relative movement of the pair of arms towards each other applies a braking force onto the roll therebetween to enable lining to be selectively unwound from the roll.

7. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm includes a base portion that is slidably couplable to a rail of the boom.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the base portion includes a slot through which a drive cable of a drifter drill of the rock drilling machine is passable.

9. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm includes a connecting portion for connecting the first arm to a drifter of the rock drilling machine.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the connecting portion projects outwardly from the spacer portion of the first arm to receive a shaft of the drifter.

11. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second arm is fixedly couplable to the boom.

12. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second arm includes a bore configured to allow passage of a rock bolt therethrough, the rock bolt being configured to fix the lining to the underground tunnel.

13. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a guide member mountable to the support member, the guide member configured to positively guide the receiving portion of at least one of the arms into alignment therewith.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the guide member is cone shaped.

15. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the machine is a rock drilling machine that includes a second boom for supporting and inserting a rock bolt into a hole in a section of the underground tunnel to fix the lining thereto.

16. An assembly for installing a protective lining to at least a roof an underground tunnel, comprising: a machine having a boom; a support member configured to support a roll of a protective lining, a pair of arms coupled to the boom and to the support member configured to space the roll from the machine during use, with a first arm being configured to be moveable with respect to a second arm along the length of the boom; wherein, in-use, when the roll of protective mesh is supported by the support member and the pair of arms is coupled to the boom, , relative movement between the arms allows the lining to be unwound from the roll without contacting the rock drilling machine.

17. A method of installing a protective lining to an underground tunnel with a machine, the method comprising the steps of: (i) supporting a roll of lining with a support member; (ii) engaging the support member and the roll supported therewith with a pair of arms coupled to a boom of the machine, with the arms holding the roll in a spaced relationship away from and clear of contact with the boom such that, in-use, the lining can be unwound from the roll without contacting the machine.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of coupling the pair of arms to the boom, including slidably coupling a first arm to a rail of the boom and connecting the first arm to a drifter of the machine, prior to step (ii).

19. The method of claim 17 or claim 18, further comprising a step of moving a or the first arm towards a second arm to apply a braking force to the roll to selectively unwind the lining therefrom.

20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein step (i) comprises inserting the support member into the centre of the roll, prior to step (ii).

21. The method of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein step (ii) comprises positively guiding at least one of the arms into alignment with the support member with a guide member.