CH-3

shaft
 Shaft Cross Sections
Rectangular Shafts
Most shafts that were constructed in the 1900’s were of a
rectangular cross-section because of the shape of the pieces of
equipment that were taken down the shaft i.e. cages, skips,
and counterweights were all square or rectangular in nature and
so it made a lot of sense to sink or mine rectangular shafts. Breaking
a square / rectangular shutter was however problematic and
this slowed down the rate of sinking.
Circular Shafts
Almost all the hard rock mines now have circular shafts because the
cross section provides good geometry for airflow and good rock
support characteristics. The circular shutter is ease to move when
doing concurrent lining resulting in faster work progress during
sinking operations. This is an important aspect when it comes to the
cash flow of the project.
 Elliptical Shafts
Elliptical shafts were designed as an alternative to large circular
shafts by simply adding half moons along the main axis. This
had the effect of reducing the circular excavation and therefore
the cost of sinking the shaft.
Determining Shaft Size
As mentioned earlier the first step in determining the shaft size
is to estimate the total reserves in the area to be exploited by
the shaft. The reserve (ore body) size will govern the rate of
mining and the mining rate will determine the tonnage (ore and
waste) to be hoisted, the number of persons and material to be
transported in a given shift.
 Choosing the Right Shaft
The size or dimensions of each shaft will differ according to
the intended duty for each unit. There are two types of shafts,
namely: vertical, decline /inclined shafts.
There are many factors that influence the location and
therefore the type of shaft to be sunk. Any mining engineer will
know that the shape, size and dip of ore body will dictate
where the shaft position should be. In addition host ground
conditions and water bearing structures also influence the final
location of shafts.
Generally speaking there are three types of ore deposits, that
is:
a) Narrow tabular deposits (steep & flat dipping – gold, platinum, etc)
b) Wide tabular deposits (coal, potash)
c) Massive deposits (copper, nickel, iron ore)
All of the above deposits can be accessed by vertical shafts
except for the flat narrow tabular deposits, which may be
mined more economically using Decline or Inclined shafts. The
chosen site of a shaft should be such that the best and most
profitable use will be made of it when in full production.
• The long axis of a rectangular shaft should be oriented normal
to regional tectonic stress and/or rock foliation.
• The first shafts sunk in hard rock mines had no lining.
When some were sunk deep, problems developed during
the sinking and subsequent operations. These problems were
principally related to ground control.
• The way to overcome this problem was to do what others
had already done in mines that had to traverse soft ground
formations – sink them circular and line them with masonry
• Because it is difficult to lay masonry upside down, the
procedure was to pour concrete curb rings at intervals so that
the masonry could be laid up between them as the shaft
sinking advanced.
• shaft sinking, excavation from the surface of an opening in the
earth.
• Shafts, which are generally vertical, are usually distinguished
from tunnels, which are horizontal.
• Little difficulty is experienced in shaft sinking through solid
rock, which contains little water.
• Shafts sunk in loose water-bearing soils and lined with cast
iron or with concrete masonry built in sections as the work
advances
• shaft sinking through rock is generally accomplished by
blasting.
• Diameter and depth depends upon the type of the shaft
• Shafts are usually circular or rectangular .
 Shaft sinking
It may be described as an excavation of vertical or inclined
tunnel from surface for conveyance of men, materials,
ventilation, pumping water, in addition to hoisting ore and waste
rock.
It is also called Shaft Construction or Shaft Mining.
type of shaft sinking
There are different methods of shaft sinking/construction.
Actually three possible methods allowing a shaft to me sunk
through highly weathered over burden on the basis of
Excavation and Wall support. These are;
1. Down-the-hole Shaft sinking Methods
2. Remote Shaft sinking Methods
3. Raise boring Method
Excavation method
 V-mole with pilot hole
• The V-mole is an improvement on the concept of the shaft boring
machine.
• Before boring, a pilot-hole is drilled, to assist in both cuttings
removal and guiding the machine along the correct path.
• The V-mole uses grippers to hold on to the side of the shaft .
• The V-mole is a costly machine not suited for drilling short shafts.
Wall supporting methods
Rock bolting and meshing
• A wire mesh is fastened to the walls with evenly spaced rock bolts.
• Rock bolting is a commonly used, cheap method. The rock-bolts
increase normal stresses on joints so that shear failure along joints
becomes more difficult.
• Often rock bolts and mesh are used as a basis for shotcreting.
• Water in-flow during shotcreting severely reduces the quality of
shotcrete.
 Cast-in-place lining
• It is possible to cast concrete rings as the shaft sink progresses.
• This method provides a smooth, watertight and permanent lining
for the shaft.
• The casing can be reinforced to cope with horizontal stresses (i.e.
ring-shaped reinforcement) making the casing elements more
economical.
 Pre-cast lining segments
In sands, mudstone and sandstone, steel, pre-stressed concrete or
composite liners with a smaller diameter (i.e. up to the 4.5 dia: )than
the shaft are lowered after drilling out the hole. Concrete can then
be poured behind the walls to create the lining.
 Shaft sinking Methods
by construction requirments
a) Wood/Steel Piling
The first set of piles, forming a circle around the shaft site is
started at the surface. As the piles are driven down, the ground
is excavated, and a circular crib is put in every few feet. In this
way the shaft is sunk in a series of short wooden cylinders.
b) Open Caisson
In this method the shaft is started by digging a shallow
excavation and placing a cutting shoe on the bottom of the pit.
The ground inside and just under the shoe is excavated and the
lining is built up as the shoe sinks.
 c) Cementation Process
Cavities and fissures are filled with quick-setting cement under high
pressure then allowed to set. Cement pumps are designed for
pressure as high as 5000 lb/sq in.
d) Freezing Process
This method was first used in 1883. The wet ground is artificially
frozen and then blasted and excavated as though it were solid rock.
From 20 to 50 holes are drilled on the circumference of a circle.
Circulating pipes are placed in the holes and a calcium or
magnesium chloride solution is pumped through the pipes to
freeze the ground.
Shaft comparison
Full-face blasthole pattern for shaft sinking.
Shaft sinking with cone or pyramid cut.
Shaft sinking by benching