With South Africa’s deep gold mines in mind, support-solution company Fabchem Mining has designed a new yielding tendon, which can be used underground to support areas prone to seismic activity.

The yielding anchor, which will be launched at Electra Mining Africa, consists of a yielding arrangement at the top-end of the anchor and standard 38-t Fabchem absolute anchor components. These include an 18 mm strand, a square plate, a barrel and wedge, a cone, a grout pipe, a breather pipe, a three-holed gasket sponge, a swivel load indicator and a four-part expansion shell.

“The innovative support product is the first of its kind and will significantly contribute to reduce related uncontrolled falls of ground, especially in seismic or squeezing ground conditions,” a regional geotechnical engineer for a big gold mining group is quoted as saying by the company.

The yielding anchor is one of three innovative products that Fabchem will showcase among many of its products at Electra Mining Africa. The two other innovations being the GDT 100 grout detector and sensors and the FABL500 lightweight stressing jack.

Fabchem says rock engineers recognises its internationally patented GDT100 grout detector as an important tool in the prevention of fall-of-ground incidents, which remains a leading cause of fatalities in South African mines. According to the Minerals Council South Africa, of the 60 people who died in the country’s mines in 2020, more than 20 were caused by fall-of-ground incidents.

“The GDT100 ensures the integrity of anchor installations in underground mining operations to prevent fall-of-ground incidents,” the company says.

A recent innovation that will also be on display is the FABL500 – a light and agronomical front gripping jack.

“Weighing in at 15 kg, the new design also allows for a cost-saving element since a shorter anchor may be installed while retaining the effective length. It is also reliable, durable and one can re-tension cropped installed anchors,” Fabchem notes.

The company sees Electra Mining Africa as the ideal platform to showcase its three innovative products.

Founded in 1996, Fabchem is a supplier and manufacturer of strata control products and drilling consumables. Over the years, the company has grown to become a trusted and reliable manufacturer, distributor and supplier with an established footprint across Africa, Australia, North America and South America.

Hall 5 Stand B21