Abstract
The accuracy of all underground surveying is regulated by the standards described in the South African Mine Health and Safety Act. Four categories of accuracy is described. This pa-per describes the evaluation of accuracy standards of a typically configured sidewall station survey network in a narrow mine tunnel environment. The sidewall system lends itself to re-duced risk exposure and greater efficiency coupled with added redundancy normally not found in standard underground networks. The question is asked whether or not this method of sur-veying will meet the MHSA standards of accuracy that was developed for typical hangingwall traverse type networks. Results obtained from a survey closure using a network of clusters of four sidewall stations demonstrates that under the described circumstances it will provide ac-curacies that are within the minimum standards of accuracy of a Class “A” survey as pre-scribed by the Mine Health and Safety Act. It was found that a survey of the same network using clusters of only two sidewall stations method could not provide the same closure results over longer distances, but that this system lends itself well to Class “C” type surveys for re-connaissance and measuring purposes. Results indicated that the second method of surveying appears to have a greater probability of severe bearing error propagation over distances in excess of 180m and would require regular check surveys in order to strengthen the network. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of the sidewall survey system are discussed to pro-vide a better understanding of the application of this method of surveying on South African mines.
Highlights
The Mine Surveyor in South Africa operates in an environment strictly regulated by legislation and corporate Standards and Procedures
The preamble of the South African Mine Health and Safety Act, No 29 of 1996 declares that the object of the Act is: “To provide for protection of the health and safety of employees and other persons at mines and, for that purpose to promote a culture of health and safety; ...” (Mine Health and Safety Act No 29 of 1996 Government Gazette 27 May 2011)
According to the MHSA, a Class “A” survey will be the standard of accuracy for a primary survey network used for fixing shaft positions, underground stations and underground connections (Mine Health and Safety Act No 29 of 1996 Government Gazette 27 May 2011)
Summary
The Mine Surveyor in South Africa operates in an environment strictly regulated by legislation and corporate Standards and Procedures. The preamble of the South African Mine Health and Safety Act, No 29 of 1996 declares that the object of the Act is: “To provide for. Mine Surveyors do have a moral obligation to ensure the accuracy of their work and a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of mine employees as well as those of the community (Schofield W., 2007). Bannister stated that “understanding the minimum standards of accuracy that limit the accuracy of the measurement techniques is but one step to ensuring specifications are achieved” (Bannister A., 1998)
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