This document discusses various techniques for raising, which is the vertical or steeply inclined excavation that connects different levels in underground mines. The key raising techniques discussed include open raising using drilling and blasting in short lengths, compartment method which divides the raise into sections, Alimak raise climber which uses a rack and pinion mechanism, longhole raising using long parallel drill holes, drop raising which uses large diameter blast holes, Jora hoist with a caged platform, and raise borers which drill and ream a circular raise without explosives. The Alimak raise climber is noted as generally the best adopted technique, first used in India in 1972.
2. Definition
vertical or steeply-inclined opening that connects
different levels in mine.
ladder way access to stopes, ore pass or airway in
mine’s ventilation system.
Raising methods vary from simple manual drill and
blast to mechanical rock excavation with raise
boring machines (RBMs).
3. Classification Of Raising Techniques
Raising
Techniques
Blind
Raising
Open
Raising
Compartm
ent
Method
Alimak
Raise
climber
Two levels
available
Longhole
Raising
Drop
Raising
Jora hoist
Raise
borers
based on the availability of access to the intended raise site at the time of its
drivage
4. Raising
Techniques
With aid of
explosives
Conventional
Open raising
Compartment
method
Using climber
Jora hoist
Alimak raise
climber
Pneumatic
Electrical
Diesel
Blasthole
techniques
Longhole
raising
Drop raising
Without aid of
explosives
Raise borers
Drilling up
reaming down
Drilling down
reaming up
based on the rock fragmentation mechanism
5. Open Raising
Driving short length raises in competent ground
o Drilling and Blasting(2-3 rounds) : 1.5-2 m.
o Stulls used to create a platform
o Holes drilled for next platform for pulley block and
rope ladder.
o Planks removed, only stulls kept in place.
o Risky. Limited to driving raise upto 10m.
7. Compartment Method
Dividing raise into 2 compartment:
o Man-way
o Install service lines
o Blasted Muck accommodation
o Build by fixing sleepers skin to skin
o Muck drawn from bottom to maintain height level
Man way covered using inclined bulkhead
9. Alimak Raise Climber
Alimak Company, Sweden -1957
Rack and Pinion mechanism bolted to guiderail.
Guiderail comprises of pipes for air and water
bolted to hanging wall by expansion bolts
Features:
Possible to drive very long raises
Guiderail curves offers quick communication between
bottom and work platform by special service hoist, Alicab or
Alitrolley.
Risk of foul gases eliminated
Men travel inside cage, material on platform
12. Longhole Raising
consists of drilling long-parallel holes in a cylindrical
or burn cut pattern.
two levels must, for this method.
Raises inclinations exceeding 50° to vertical.
To carry out drilling the pneumatic or hydraulic drifters
mounted on the pre-fabricated rigs or vertical
columns and horizontal bar structures are used.
13. Safety: man not required
to enter into the raise
during its drivage.
Productivity: Operation is
not cyclic better hence
faster rate of drivage.
Flexibility and simplicity:
NO elaborate arrangement
to accommodate the
equipment.
can be applied only if raise
site can be accessed from
both the levels.
Blind raising is not feasible.
Raises upto 40 m lengths
and 45° inclinations can be
driven.
Disturbed ground with joints,
fissures etc. may result
frequent jamming of drill rods
and bits.
Advantages Limitations
Longhole Raising
16. Drop Raising
advanced version of the long-hole raising: long holes
and larger diameter used.
method of making a raise connection between two
adjacent levels, nearly 60 m apart, by drilling large
diameter holes from upper level to lower level and
blasting them in stages.
Central hole(1): 150-165mm
Corner holes(4): 100mm
17. Charging done from upper level
Spherical charges; L:D ≤ 4:1, but not exceeding 6:1.
Above it 1.8 m length packed with sand , rest of the
hole left unstemmed.
With each blasting a vertical height of 1.8 m is formed
in the shape of raise.
Dressing of conical cavity not essential
fragmented rocks removed by L.H.D. unit working in
the lower level.
Drop Raising
18. No side dressing or roof
dressing of the raise is
required.
Safe and fast, a raise
nearly 57 m long generally
completed within 20 days.
Reduced cost as better
drill factor, powder factor
and productivity is
achieved.
requirement to use the same
drilling equipment in the
stoping operations too, to
justify the investment made.
Advantages Limitation
Drop Raising
19.
20. Jora Hoist
2 levels available
Drilling large dia. hole at center of raise to get through
lower level.
Cage :
suspended from upper level using steel rope, hoisted using
winze.
Flat top surface : working platform for drilling and blasting.
Can be fixed against raise sides,with jack mounted in the
sides
Hoist lowered before blasting.
21. Low cost. Simple technique.
Less development work
required prior to raising
operation.
Simple drilling & blasting
used.
Confirmation of ground
conditions is not required.
Can efficiently mine through
the hardest of rock types
Requirement of access at
both ends of the intended
raise.
Necessity of a large
capacity drill to drill the
central large diameter
hole.
Tedious hoisting operation.
Slow advance rate.
Method limited to drivage
of only vertical raises.
Outdated method,Alimak
Advantages Limitations
Jora Hoist
22.
23. Raise Borers
Applied to drive a raise between two levels.
Raise up to 910 m length and 30° to vertical (generally
>45°),0.9 m -3.7 m dia. driven.
Circular configuration obtained without drilling and blasting.
Machine setup at top and pilot hole of 225-250 mm dia. drilled
down to get through into lower level.
Large reamer bit is put at bottom of the drill rod and the raise is
reamed to the desired dia. up to the upper level.
Available for hard and soft ground. Pilot hole information about
the type of strata to be encountered and helps in driving the
raise accurately
24. Machines also available for driving pilot hole lower to upward,
then reaming from upper to lower level. Less popular
technique.
Removal of cuttings done air or by water, deposited around the
hole collar which then removed by hand shovel.
during pilot hole drilling:
Rotational speed 35–72 r.p.m
Pressure on the pilot bit from 30,000 (for 9.8 in. bit) to 125,000
lb. for a 15 in. bit.
During reaming bit:
Rotational Speed10–20
Pressure 20,000 lb. (for 48 in.) to 36,000 lb. (for 60 inches).
26. Conclusion
Raising is one of the most important tool for the
extraction purpose whether in coal mines or
metalliferous mines, generally used for the stope
development.
Alimak raise climber method is the best method
adopted, first deployed in India by the Jadugura
uranium mines in the year 1972
Raising has also huge application in other sectors like
civil construction apart from mining.
27. References
Tatiya,R.R.(2005).Excavations in upward direction –
raising.Chapter 13.In,Surface and Underground
Excavations – Methods, Techniques and Equipment
, pp.331-349.ISBN: 90-5809-627-0.
Mine Portal.Underground Metal Mining Methods.
Available at http://www.mineportal.in/