NIOSH Mining Facility

A schematic of the Simulated Underground Mine Facility

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The Simulated Underground Mine Facility is a surface structure that simulates an underground coal mine entry. It's used to evaluate remote material injection methods for seal, bulkhead, or roof support construction. It's also used to evaluate suppression foams and other inert gas techniques for fire fighting. The structure can also be used as a test site for other underground mining research projects before full-scale testing in the experimental mine or a commercial mining operation.

This flexible structure simulates up to 10-in diameter borehole drilled into a mine void. The structure consists of a 3-story, 30-ft by 30-ft steel tower with two elevated working platforms and a simulated underground mine below. Access to the working platforms is by a catwalk on the elevated conveyor bridge. The conveyor bridge provides the supporting structure for a 24-in conveyor belt, a 6-in conveying pipeline and utility conduits. The simulated borehole can be configured to extend from either the upper or lower platform to the mine roof. A 1½-ton hoist located above the borehole is used to lower casing or other tools into the borehole. The simulated mine is constructed as needed from interlocking concrete block with removable steel bridge planks serving as the mine roof.

Site:  Lake Lynn Laboratory