RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.

UNION SECTION
DECLINE SECTION - (TM3)

STANDARD PRACTICE - CODE 9 REF. NO. 9.11

VENTILATION OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS

(TRACKLESS MINING)
OBJECTIVE

To specify minimum requirements in development ends, in order to create and maintain a safe
working environment.

1. LIMITS TO DEPTH OF UNVENTILATED ENDS

a. Ventilation of all development shall commence when it becomes a development end by

definition and shall be continuous until holed.

DEFINITION OF A DEVELOPMENT END.

Any end which has advanced twice its own cross sectional area.

2. VENTILATING METHODS

a. Force system.

b. Exhaust system.

c. Exhaust overlap system.

3. TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS AND REQUIREMENTS

a. DECLINES : (Shafts)
- Force exhaust system with a 1016 mm diameter exhaust column and a 570mm diameter
force column.
- The intake end of the exhaust column should not be more than 30 metres from the working
face.
- The delivery end of the force column should not be more than 20 metres from the working
face after the blast provided that the discharged airstream is directed on to the working face.
- With the combination of a force column and exhaust column, the two columns shall overlap
by more than 20 metres and not less than 7 metres.
- Force Exhaust column fan size - 75 kW, 1016 mm diameter with silencers installed on
the intake and delivery side of the fan.
 RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.
UNION SECTION
DECLINE SECTION - (TM3)

STANDARD PRACTICE - CODE 9 REF. NO. 9.11

-2-

VENTILATION OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS

(TRACKLESS MINING)
3. TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS AND REQUIREMENTS (cont.)

- Force column fan size - 18 kW, 760 mm with silencers installed on the intake and delivery
side of the fan.

b. ROADWAYS :

- Force system with a 760 mm diameter force column.

- The delivery end of the force column should not be more than 20 metres from the working face
after the blast and provided the discharged airstream is directed on to the working face.
- The intake end of the force column shall be at least 10 metres upstream into the through
ventilation to eliminate and prevent recirculation.
- Force column fan size - 37 to 45 kW, 760 mm diameter with silencers installed on the intake
and delivery side of the fan.

c. ADVANCE STRIKE DRIVE (ASD) :

- Force system with a 570mm diameter force column.

- The delivery end of the force column should not be more than 20 metres from the working face
after the blast and provided the discharged airstream is directed on to the working face.
- The intake end of the force column shall be at least 10 metres upstream into the through
ventilation to eliminate and prevent recirculation.
- Force column fan size - 11 to 18 kW, 570 mm diameter with silencers installed on the intake
and delivery side of the fan.

d. RAISES :

- Force system with a 406 mm diameter force column.

- The delivery end of the force column should not be more than 12 metres from the working face
after the blast and provided the discharged airstream is directed on to the working face.
- The intake end of the force column shall be at least 10 metres upstream into the through
ventilation to eliminate and prevent recirculation.
- Force column fan size - 3,7 to 4,1 kW, 406 mm diameter.

e. RETURN AIRWAYS (RAW’s)

- Force system with a 406 mm diameter force column.

 RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.
UNION SECTION
DECLINE SECTION - (TM3)

STANDARD PRACTICE - CODE 9 REF. NO. 9.11

-3-
VENTILATION OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS
(TRACKLESS MINING)
3. TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS AND REQUIREMENTS (cont.)

e. RETURN AIRWAYS (RAW’s) cont.

- For the first ten (10) metres of development, ventilate the RAW with a 50 mm diameter
auxiliary blower, which must at all times discharge at least 2 metres from the face.
- The delivery end of the force column should not be more than 12 metres from the working
face after the blast and provided the discharged airstream is directed on to the working face.
- The intake end of the force column shall be at least 10 metres upstream into the through
ventilation to eliminate and prevent recirculation.
- Force column fan size - 3,7 to 4,1 kW , 406 mm diameter.

- After holing of the RAW,

- Ensure the RAW is properly cleaned out to reduce and minimize restriction.
- Build / construct a 200 mm airtight seal.
- Provision must be made for a Standard travelling way door to enable investigation of the RAW
and exhaust quantity measurements.
- Provision must also be made for a 1016 mm and a 760 mm diameter column to serve as the
exhaust column and regulator respectively.
- Minimum open area for RAW is 2 x 2 = 4 m² where more air needs to be returned the Chief
Ventilation Officer must submit a lay - out showing the required open area.

4. AIR QUANTITY REQUIREMENTS :

a. The quantity of air delivered by the force column shall not be less than 0,2m³/s per square metre
of face area.

b. The quantity of air taken in by an exhaust column at the end nearest the face shall not be less
than 0,3m³/s per square metre of face area.

c. In the case of an exhaust - overlap system, the quantity of the air removed by the exhaust
column shall not be less than one third more than the quantity of air delivered by the force
column. ( E.g. Force delivery = m³/s Minimum exhaust intake = 3 + ( 1/ 3x 3) = 4m³/s.

d. For Multi – Blast the Chief Ventilation / Occupational Hygiene Officer to specify conditions
as per Directive RDNW ( R ) 11/ S / 2 / R10 – 12 issued by the Principle Inspector of Mines.
 RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.
UNION SECTION
DECLINE SECTION - (TM3)

STANDARD PRACTICE - CODE 9 REF. NO. 9.11

-4-
VENTILATION OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS
(TRACKLESS MINING)
5. WATERBLASTS

a. All development ends must be equipped with a 50 mm waterblast and/or a fog nozzle. Raises /
Winzes may be equipped with a 25mm waterblast. Boxholes / RAW’s must be equipped
with waterblasts.

b. The same distances from the working face for force columns will apply to waterblasts.

c. Waterblasts must be installed when it becomes a development by definition.

6. PRECAUTIONS IN DEAD ENDS

a. Before any unventilated dead end is entered, it should first be thoroughly blown out with
compressed air, also the hangingwall, sidewalls, and rockpile should be watered down to
expel all harmful gases and dusts.

b. Abandoned dead ends will be sealed off as per Regulation 7.3.1 at the entrance to the end,
with a “NO ENTRY” sign fastened to the barricade.

c. Dead ends which have been abandoned but are to be re - started for any reason will be tested
by the ventilation department for toxic and inflammable gases before any work permitted.

d. Re - establishment of the ventilation system is first priority in a previously abandoned end.

e. No work will be allowed in any development end if the fan is not operational.

7. FANS AND COLUMNS

7.1 GENERAL:

a. The intakes to all ventilation columns should be fitted with an effective screen and gasket to
prevent foreign objects from being drawn into the column, and damaging the fan or adversely
affecting its performance.

b. A 1,5 m long protection piece with a heavy duty screen must be fitted to every development
end ventilation column at the end nearest to the face, to absorb blast damage.

c. The intakes of force columns must extend upstream into through ventilation for a distance of
at least 10 metres to prevent recirculation.
 RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.
UNION SECTION
DECLINE SECTION - (TM3)

STANDARD PRACTICE - CODE 9 REF. NO. 9.11

-5-

VENTILATION OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS

(TRACKLESS MINING)

7. FANS AND COLUMNS (cont.)

7.2 LATERALS AND T - PIECES:

a. No ventilation column shall be equipped with a lateral or T - piece to feed more than one
development end, unless such an arrangement is approved in writing by the ventilation
department.

b. Due to extremely high resistance to airflow no T - piece shall be used in any column.

c. Due to high leakage rate, fire risk and increased resistance no flexible ducting or any
similar PVC product shall be used anywhere underground.

7.3 VENTILATION OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS :

a. No more than three subsidiary development ends such as declines, roadways or ASD’s shall
be ventilated in series by means of a single stream of air.

b. Whenever it’s not possible to comply with (7.3.a) above, the advice of the Ventilation Dept.
must be obtained in writing.

c. All new ventilation layouts must be signed by a Chief Ventilation Officer before being
implemented.

d. Leakage into or out of a column must not exceed 10% for the first 100 metres column with
a maximum of 20% for long columns. Every column joint must be fitted with a gasket and
all bolts and nuts.

e. All leaks on columns will be sealed with “Sealaduct” or any similar product, which will be
applied according to the manufactures specifications.
 RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.
UNION SECTION
DECLINE SECTION - (TM3)

STANDARD PRACTICE - CODE 9 REF. NO. 9.11

-6-

VENTILATION OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS

(TRACKLESS MINING)
8. POSITIONING OF FANS

a. Fans will be installed one pipe length from the intake of the column and one pipe length
from the discharge of the exhaust column.

b. All fans only to operate on its own or large diameter pipe.

c. The advice of the Ventilation department must be obtained in writing regarding the
ventilation lay - outs of declines, roadways, ASD’s, raises and RAW’s before through
ventilation is established.

d. Fan starters will be located in the through ventilation of each particular development end.

e. Starters of fans in decline, roadway, and ASD columns must be located at the last point of
through ventilation to the development complex.

f. Fan trip out indicator lights must be mounted on each starter panel, where multiple fan
installations exist.

g. Fan to be connected in such a way that if power is curtailed, and on resumption of power fans
must be physically restarted . Starters must be numbered with corresponding fan number.

h. Each fan must be equipped with the correct kW starter and overload settings and single
phase protection must be in place.
 RUSTENBURG PLATINUM MINES LTD.
UNION SECTION
DECLINE SECTION - (TM3)
STANDARD PRACTICE - CODE 9 REF. NO. 9.11
-7-

VENTILATION OF DEVELOPMENT ENDS

(TRACKLESS MINING)
9. MULTI – BLASTING / FIXED – TIME MULTI - BLASTING

For the above a lay – out will be submitted by the Chief Ventilation Officer in consultation
With the Manager Ventilation and all conditions as per Code of Practice and Directive
RDNW (R ) 11 / 5 / 2 / R10 – 12 will be included.

10. TEMPERATURES / HEAT STRESS MANAGEMENT

1. Heat Stress Management to be applied when wet – bulb temperatures reaches 27,5°C then :

• Heat tolerance screening becomes compulsory.

• Natural Acclimatization becomes compulsory for all development personnel except

Supervisory, Services and Engineering personnel.

2. Stop work rectify conditions – when wet – bulb temperature is 31,5°C.

3. Stop work and withdraw all personnel – when wet – bulb temperature is 32,5°C or
dry – bulb > 37,0°C.

Note :

1. At all Decline Sections Heat Tolerance Screening is compulsory for all employees regardless
of wet – bulb temperature.

2. All employees at all Decline Sections are exempted from Natural Acclimatization
underground.

APPROVED:

MANAGER VENTILATION : ……………………………DATE: ………………………

B.A.M. DECLINES (TM 3 ) :……………………………. DATE :……………………..

REVISED STANDARD NO :……………………………..DATE:………………………

EFFECTIVE DATE :…………/………../……..