The current mine covers a relatively narrow area approximately 400 metres in width and five kilometres in length, extending to a depth of approximately 760 m below the surface.
Primary access underground is via the Woolshed Gully decline, nominal dimensions of 4.6 metres high and 4.6 metres wide at a gradient of 1:6.5 down to a depth of approximately 130 metres below the surface. The mine entrance (portal) is located at the southern end of the mine.
The decline system below the Woolshed Gully decline has been developed at nominal dimensions of 5.3 metres high by 5.0 metres wide at a gradient of 15%. At approximately 1,200 m from the portal, twin declines split into the Suleiman decline (approximately 1,900 m long) and the Woah Hawp decline (approximately 3,700 m long).
Underground mining includes development drilling, ground support, blasting, loading and hauling. All works are carried out by GPG as an “owner-operator”. Production drilling and mechanised cable bolting are carried out by a separate contractor (MacMahon).
Underground development is carried out using conventional drill and blast techniques with twin boom 1000V electric hydraulic jumbos. Jumbos drill blast holes in development faces, blast holes are then charged with explosives and fired breaking the rock. Jumbos are also utilised for the installation of ground support in the walls and backs of the excavation.
The ground support design for mine development co ........
