AUSTRALIAN miners will soon be better protected from cave-ins and sudden rock falls thanks to ground-breaking technology from the University of Western Australia.

The Australian Centre for Geomechanics (UWA) has spent the past two years developing a revolutionary High Energy Absorption Mesh that attaches to the walls and ceilings of underground mines.

The mesh restrains any small pieces of rock and falling debris whilst the pressure of the bolts fixed to the wall absorb energy to prevent future collapses.

Leader of the research team, Professor Yves Potvin, says the new abilities of his absorption mesh takes onsite safety to a new level.

“This particular mesh is much stronger in terms of its energy absorption. The traditional mesh being used can withstand pressure of about 2-3 tonnes and stretch about two-three hundred millimetres,” he says.

“From our lab tests we estimate the new model can take up to seventeen tonnes and stretches by almost a metre, and so yields much more stretch and is far stronger.”

Professor Potvin says he was able to achieve such amazing results by applying clever modifications to the existing model.

“Essentially we take a 12mm cable bolt and lace it onto the mesh for reinforcements. Also when constructing the mesh we use crinkled wires, as opposed to the traditional straight design, which provides the increased level of absorption.”

These groundbreaking innovations recently earned Prof Potvin the Ready for Market award at the WA Leading Lights ceremony, recognising innovation in technology design.

Funding for the initial research was provided by a mining corporation who wishes to remain anonymous, however Professor Potvin maintains expenses were kept to a minimum, with budget for all three phases of funding less than $20,000.

Currently the research team is negotiating with industrial supplier OneSteel, which is considering manufacturing options in both China and Sydney.

The mesh is expected to be presented to the Australian market first then taken to the US and Canadian mining sectors.

Prof Potvin and his team will continue refining the safety and effectiveness of mining mesh technology with further lab and field tests planned for the new-year.

“We are currently planning trials here in Australia where we will install the mesh in several meters of tunnels to see how it performs under difficult conditions,” he says.

“We have done lab tests and field trials already, but the safety of the technology has essentially already been proved in earlier models.  Safety regulations will not be an issue for us.”