Licensed exclusively to SABS.

Copying and network storage prohibited.

ISBN 978-0-626-22996-2
SANS 10339:2009
Edition 2.1

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Underground rail trackwork in mines

Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
www.sabs.co.za
© SABS
 Licensed exclusively to SABS.
Copying and network storage prohibited.

SANS 10339:2009
Edition 2.1

Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope
Amdt 1 2009 Amended to update a referenced standard.

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by National Committee SABS SC 82A, Mining equipment –
Underground railway transport systems, in accordance with procedures of Standards South Africa, in
compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.

This document was published in October 2009.

This document supersedes SANS 10339:2006 (edition 2).

In clause 3 reference is made to the "approving authority". In South Africa this means the Engineering
Council of South Africa (ECSA).

A vertical line in the margin shows where the text has been technically modified by amendment No.1.

Annexes B, G, and I form an integral part of this standard. Annexes A, C, D, E, F and H are for
information only.
 Licensed exclusively to SABS.
Copying and network storage prohibited.

SANS 10339:2009
Edition 2.1

Contents
Page

Foreword

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................ 3

2 Definitions.......................................................................................................................... 3

3 Design ............................................................................................................................... 8

4 Track technology ............................................................................................................... 8

5 Maintenance ...................................................................................................................... 10

Annex A (informative) Track geometry ................................................................................... 11

Annex B (normative) Classification criteria ............................................................................. 12

Annex C (informative) Typical haulage cross-sections ........................................................... 13

Annex D (informative) Turnouts and special trackwork........................................................... 15

Annex E (informative) Rail sections ........................................................................................ 19

Annex F (informative) Rail joints............................................................................................. 21

Annex G (normative) Maximum permissible deviations for track gauges ............................... 23

Annex H (informative) Joint sleeper spacing........................................................................... 25

Annex I (normative) Rail fasteners ........................................................................................ 26

Bibliography ............................................................................................................................ 27

1
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2
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SANS 10339:2009
Edition 2.1

Underground rail trackwork in mines

1 Scope
This standard covers the track systems currently in general use underground in mines.

This standard specifies the requirements for the maintenance and safe use of underground and
associated shaft head track systems.

It is generally appreciated that safe, efficient and economical mining is very largely dependent on the
efficiency of the horizontal transport system employed to convey men, materials and minerals.

This standard aims to give a guide to the standard of tracks required for the safe and economic
operation of mines. The primary objective being to provide standards of trackwork which will result in
minimizing accidents.

NOTE 1 This standard concentrates on the bringing together of components to form a system and specifies
minimum requirements to which the system should be constructed and maintained.

NOTE 2 This standard excludes trackwork in inclines and declines.

2 Definitions
For the purposes of this standard, the following definitions apply.

2.1
axle load
static load applied equally to the track structure via each individual axle on which either a locomotive or
an item of the rolling stock rests

2.2
ballast
support structure placed on the top of the formation or footwall on which the sleepers will be laid

2.3
ballasting
operation of placing the ballast to support and complete a track structure

2.4
breakaway
any deviation of any underground tunnel from the prevailing tunnel direction

NOTE A breakaway can facilitate another tunnel or provide additional space for utilities.