Modern Mining September 2019

SHAFT SINKING AND UNDERGROUND DEVELOPMENT

Geobrugg systems provide effective rockfall protection

withstand impact energies of up to 10 000 kJ, which Geobrugg believes is unsurpassed by any other sys- tems on the market. According to Geobrugg Southern Africa’s Technical Manager, Gavin Sims, the company’s products represent the latest safety technology to improve underground and open-pit safety condi- tions. Geobrugg not only offers highly specialised know-how but can rely on more than 60 years of experience in steel wire processing. The office in South Africa has been in operation since 2012 and is located in Honeydew, Johannesburg. Features of Geobrugg mesh The Geobrugg mesh is made of high-tensile steel (1 770 N/m 2 ) that has both static and dynamic capabil- ities. The rhomboidal chain-link structure combined with the knotted ends of the mesh make handling and installation easy. Less overlap is required when

Having effective systems in place to prevent rockfalls or to ameliorate their effects is obviously one of the highest priorities for mines, given that incidents of this type pose a significant threat to the safety of workers and are usually costly – sometimes ruinuously so – in terms of lost production. A company that believes that it has some of the finest equipment and systems in the world to counter rockfalls and similar events, either in underground or open-pit environments, is Swiss safety net and mesh manufacturer, Geobrugg ® .

I n essence, Geobrugg develops and manufac- tures systems made of high-tensile steel wire that protect against natural hazards such as rock- falls, landslides, debris flow and avalanches. The company’s rockfall protection barriers are able to

MESHA ® installation handler system cuts installation times.

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42  MODERN MINING  September 2019