Malan, D.F. (Daniel Francois)Napier, J.A.L. (John)2018-12-032018-12Malan, D.F. & Napier, J.A.L. 2018, 'Rockburst support in shallow-dipping tabular stopes at great depth', International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, vol. 112, pp. 302-312.1365-1609 (print)1873-4545 (online)10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.10.026http://hdl.handle.net/2263/67436This paper investigates the unique problems associated with the design of rockburst support for shallow-dipping tabular excavations. These designs are particularly problematic when the stoping width is very small. In steep dipping orebodies, the layouts and mining methods can be selected to ensure that miners never enter the stopes. Only the access drives need to be protected by rockburst resistant support. In shallow-dipping orebodies, this problem is more difficult as miners enter the stopes and the entire hanging wall needs to be supported. A simple analytical model is used to investigate the implications for support design as a result of the convergence associated with the tabular geometry and the possibility of rocks being ejected during a rockburst. This illustrates that a support system is required that is initially stiff, but it should also be yieldable to survive the convergence in the back areas. By trial and error, the historic support solutions in the South African gold mines evolved into a system of timber packs and elongates to meet these requirements. When considering the three accepted key functions of modern rockburst support methodology namely, reinforce, retain and hold, the typical support design for these shallow-dipping orebodies does not meet all these requirements. The rock is highly fractured and fallouts occur between roofbolts during rockbursts as areal support is difficult to implement. Steel mesh is not used as it is often destroyed during cleaning operations. Solving this problem is of critical importance to ensure the viability of deep South African gold mines in the future.en© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, vol. 112, pp. 302-312, 2018. doi : 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.10.026.Areal supportEnergy absorbing supportRockburst supportTabular stopeGold minesMinersOre depositsStopingUnderground structuresAfrican gold mineCleaning operationsMining methodsSteel meshesSupport designSupport systemsTrial and errorProblem solvingEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-03SDG-03: Good health and well-beingEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-08SDG-08: Decent work and economic growthEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructureEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-12SDG-12: Responsible consumption and productionEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13SDG-13: Climate actionEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-15SDG-15: Life on landPostprint Article