Advancing mining support systems to enhance the control of highly stressed ground (AMSSTED) : final report

AMSSTED was a research project that aimed to develop support management systems for gateroads located below 1 000 m and for face salvages and other wide openings. It commenced in July 2013 and completed in June 2016. The project was organized into work packages, each covering a technical component for study and ultimately feeding into last one where a synthesis of inputs was undertaken. The individual work packages were as follows: Collection of information and interpretation, where data/experiences (on gateroad support, cable bolting and face salvages) were collected and test site measurements carried out; Laboratory tests, which was dedicated to the lab/in-situ testing of different types of consumables and rock samples for improved support of gateroads and face salvages; Numerical modelling, was simulating the behaviour of gateroads support and surrounding rock mass, development of innovative support systems for gateroads located below 1 000 m and for face salvages, simulation of bolts and cable bolts behaviour, risk modelling and optimization of convergence prediction; Underground testing/Field trials where optimized support systems for gateroads and face salvage were tested underground. Also the convergence prediction methods were validated; Development of Support Management/Risk Reduction Systems where work was carried out on the development of support management and risk reductions systems for gateroads located below 1 000 m and for face salvages and other wide openings. The SMS allows to achieve more cost effective and safer face recoveries and support of gateroads and wider mine openings.