Epiroc launches pumpable resin system for rock bolting
19 September 2019International – Eprioc announced last month that it had launched an integrated pumpable two-component resin system that can be used with a self-drilling anchor (SDA) style bolt in tougher ground conditions or alternately with a two-step hollow bolt in more moderate ground conditions.
One of the more difficult rock reinforcement tasks in underground mining and tunnelling operations is how to install long-term rock bolts in poor rock conditions. Rock bolting as a result is often the bottleneck within the drill and blast cycle, leading to difficulties to predict work task scheduling.
Blocky or friable ground often leaves drilled bolt holes blocked or partially blocked. This slows down, or in the worst case, prevents the introduction of bonding agents such as cement grout or resin cartridges into the bolt hole.
The company developed the resin with LKAB, a mining technology company. The result of this work is an integrated pumpable two-component resin system that can be used with a Self-Drilling Anchor (SDA) style bolt in tougher ground conditions or alternately with a two-step hollow bolt in more moderate ground conditions. The system is designed to be used on the mechanized bolting machines Boltec M and Boltec E models.
“An important factor to achieve a workable rock reinforcement solution is to have a system where the bolt design, bonding agent and bolting rig all work together to provide a robust and reliable bolt installation”, says Peter Bray, global product manager for Epiroc.
