Remote Reading Tell-tale Systems in Underground Mines Chris Wagner

1. Remote Reading Tell-tale Systems in Underground Mines Chris Wagner Strata Engineering (Australia) Pty Ltd

2. Outline • What is the Remote Reading Tell-tale System? • The original “Tell-tale” • The Remote Reading Tell-tale (RRTT) • The RRTT System • Benefits of the system • Limitations of the system • Where has it been used? • Where to from here Strata Engineering (Australia) Pty Ltd

3. What is the Remote Reading Tell-tale (RRTT) System? • Based on the original dual height mechanical Tell-tale developed in in the UK in the 1980’s • The RRTT system is an approved intrinsically safe (IS) electronic Tell-tale system which allows real time measurement of roof displacement to a surface computer • The RRTT system was developed by Golder RMT UK in the late 1990’s following the success of the mechanical Tell-tale Strata Engineering (Australia) Pty Ltd

4. The Original “Tell-tale” • Purely visual indicator • Uses a traffic light system, Green, Yellow and Red • Has mm display for more accuracy • Two indicators connected to stainless steel wires with spring anchors • Indicates displacement above and withinthe roof bolted horizon

5. Water seals Spring Anchor Coil "A" Ferrite Core "A" Coil "B" Stabiliser Drip tray Ferrite Core “B" Electronics "A" Indicator "B" Indicator The Remote Reading Tell-tale (RRTT) • Looks the same as the standard mechanical Tell-tale • Easily installed and in a similar manner to the original • Built within the instrument is a coil and ferrite core for each anchor • As the roof moves downwards, the coil moves over the ferrite and induces an electric charge which varies the inductance. • The variation in inductance is then converted to displacement • Accurate to 0.1 of a mm

6. Computer, barrier & comms. The Remote Reading Tell-tale System - Basic Set Up Daisy chain of Tell-tales installed in roadways and cut-throughs Underground Interrogation Unit (powered by an IS 12v power supply)

7. From Surface to Seam • The mine can chose to run a twisted pair wire (telephone line) from the surface to the proposed location of the Interrogation Units or alternatively, connect the system to an existing underground phone line. • The 12v IS power supply is set–up as required for each Interrogation Unit • The surface barrier unit, communications and PC (including the supplied software) are then set-up prior to going underground • Once the above is completed and tested the underground installation commences

8. Basic Connection of the Interrogation Unit and Tell-tales 1. Interrogation Unit is installed on the rib and connected to the 12v IS power supply by the mine electrician 2. Twin-core wire from the surface is then connected to the Interrogation Unit 3. Finally, a simple twist and crimp connection is made to the first Tell-tale or connecting cable

9. Software Set-up • Once underground connection has been completed, all existing Tell-tales are identified and labelled in the software • Trigger levels are set – standard levels are typically as per those shown on the visual indicators: • - Green (0-25mm) • - Yellow (25-50mm) • - Red (50-75mm) • Note: these levels can be changed in the set-up of the software if different triggers are warranted • Following the initial set-up, each time a new Tell-tale is added to the daisy chain, the Interrogation Unit identifies it and flags it in the software ready to be labeled

10. Benefits of the RRTT System • REAL-TIME Monitoring (100 Tell-tales can be read in under 20 minutes) • Less demand on man-power • The Remote Reading Tell-tale is contact-less, minimising the potential for mechanical failure • Requires very low power • Internal electrics are fully sealed and are therefore not sensitive to moisture • Ability to set high reading frequencies and specific trigger levels • Access to gassy and sealed off areas • Allows on-going monitoring of remote or high areas • Is easily integrated with existing database software • Cost

11. Limitations of the RRTT System • A maximum of 100 Tell-tales and / or 2km of connecting wire can be monitored on any one underground Interrogation Unit however, if less than 100 Tell-tales are installed, the length of connecting cable can be increased beyond the 2km typical maximum. • Currently the system can only monitor 4 x underground interrogation units per PC and therefore a maximum of 400 x Tell-tales per surface PC

12. Some Site Examples

13. 1. West Mine - Germany • Use: monitoring maingate conditions during the retreat of LW 183 • Set up in single entry maingate (limited personnel access) • Roadway was kept open during longwall retreat (using standing support) to allow roof monitoring inbye of the face • 67 Tell-tales installed along the daisy chain • Approx. 1.3km of roadway monitored • Depth of Cover of >1000m • Twisted pair line had to be run ~12km into the mine

14. Output from West Mine in Germany - During LW Retreat

15. West Mine Germany – Individual Tell-tale Acceleration in displacement in the bolted horizon when LW was <4m from Tell-tale

16. LW Retreat - West Mine Germany Surge in displacement following the passing of the longwall Early roof displacement around 300m outbye of the longwall Summary of all Tell-tales as LW approaches

17. 2. Daw Mill – United Kingdom • Use: monitoring sealed longwall • Why? For access to equipment behind stoppings at a later date. • 13 Tell-tales installed along daisy chain in a single entry maingate • Standard Trigger Levels set: • - Green 0-25mm • - Yellow 25-50mm • - Red 50-75mm

18. Daw Mill Colliery – UK - Location Plan 31’s Stoppings LW Stop Position 301’s Maingate 13 x Tell-tales

19. Output from Daw Mill Colliery, UK Trigger levels exceeded – Yellow Trigger (25-50mm) on the A Anchor = bolted horizon

20. 365m TT13 A Reading 365m TT13 Total 340m TT11 A Reading 340m TT11 Total 360m TT12 A Reading 360m TT12 Total 320m TT10 A Reading 320m TT10 Total Daw Mill Colliery, UK RRTT Daw Mill Colliery, 301's MG 50 45 40 35 30 25 Roof Displacement (mm) 20 15 10 5 0 27-Jul-05 15-Oct-05 04-Nov-05 24-Nov-05 03-Jan-06 23-Jan-06 04-Mar-06 24-Mar-06 13-Apr-06 16-Aug-05 12-Feb-06 03-May-06 05-Sep-05 25-Sep-05 14-Dec-05 Location of trigger level events Date

21. 3. Marathon Petroleum Gas Cavern – West Virginia US • Use: monitoring roof movement in gas cavern • 64 Tell-tales running a 10 minute reading interval • Due to shape of cavern, complex connection topology required • Several 3 and 4-way connections had to be made • Interrogation unit set up on surface rather than underground • Approx. 1.5km of connecting cable in system

22. Marathon Petroleum Gas Storage Cavern - West Virginia USA Movement Recorded on EN +100 (Channel 31) Cavern and Connection Layout 100ft

23. Marathon Petroleum Gas Storage Cavern - Movement on EN +100 in Days Indicates majority of movement occurring in the bolted horizon

24. Marathon Petroleum Gas Storage Cavern - Detailed Section of Movement (hours) Ability to pin-point when the movement started (hours)

25. 4. Experimental Mine - Indonesia • Use: monitoring roof movement during roadway development of run-outs and retreat pocketing • 20 x roof extensometers (4 x anchor as opposed to dual height Tell-tale) • 21 x rib extensometers • 8 x stress cells • Use was made of the Portable Readout Unit as opposed to the underground interrogation unit and surface PC

26. Experimental Mine - Indonesia • All monitoring sites were wired back to an individual location underground where they were able to be read utilising the hand-held Portable Readout Unit Hand-held Portable Readout Unit 4 x Anchor Remote Reading Extensometer

27. Indonesia Experimental Mine - Layout Retreat development of run outs and pockets Roof Extensometer No. 3

28. Results from Roof Exto 3 – During Development of Run-outs and Pocketing Increase in roof displacement measured as pocketing retreats closer to Exto 3 Limited movement measured above the bolted horizon

29. 5. Angus Place Colliery – NSW Australia • Use: monitoring roof displacement during the driveage of first pass and subsequent widening in LW 970’s installation road • 30 x dual height Tell-tales installed in both the installation and bleeder roadways • Installation road located approx. 9km into the mine • Underground interrogation unit was installed in the crib room approx. 200m outbye of the installation road • During initial site visit, full surface to seam set-up completed and 12 x Tell-tales were installed • Remaining Tell-tales were installed either off the miner as development advanced or outbye by the mine site Geologist • RRTT system has been integrated into the mine’s existing access exto database

30. Angus Place Colliery – Layout LW 970 Installation Road Majority of red Tell-tales installed at the face off the miner 970 Panel Green Tell-tales installed outbye of face during initial site visit and set-up

31. LW 970 Installation Road – 38m from MG Intersection Overall very limited amount of displacement (ie, <7mm) Initial surge in displacement as miner developed towards TG end of roadway Displacement is confined to the bolted horizon (ie, A anchor)

32. LW 970 Installation Road – 90m from MG Intersection – Mid-face Int Overall very limited amount of displacement (ie, <8mm) Note the limited surge in displacement recorded during the formation of the intersection Initial surge in displacement as miner developed towards TG end of roadway

33. LW 970 Installation Road – 200m from MG Intersection Minor ongoing movement following roadway widening measured in the bolted horizon only – overall limited (ie, <10mm) displacement Surge as a result of roadway widening

34. Where To Next?

35. Mine Plan and Trigger Level Integration (i) Colour immediately shows Engineer trigger level exceeded and (ii) displacement amount also plotted

36. - SMS and email alerts for Tell-tales which have exceeded the prescribed trigger level • - Software upgrades including; • (i) Network server installation with the ability for multiple users to review the data simultaneously and remotely • (ii) Improved system diagnostics