Case Study:

Inspect, Design and Install Plug Seal in a Vertical Shaft

Project Overview

Ashton Underground required a strategy to seal a disused ventilation shaft linking the pikes gully seam to the surface atmosphere. As a permanent seal, the Sealing had to comply with MDG 6001.

Photo showing the Ashton shaft during the filling/ sealing operation as it approaches the surface

Challenges

Ashton underground had ceased mining operations in the Pikes Gully seam, and the extracted longwall panels had been sealed off. This meant that the area at the bottom of the shaft was not accessible to build formwork to retain fill.

Solution

MPA designed and manufactured a purpose built inflatable plug and lowered it down the shaft. Once at the correct depth, the plug was inflated to seal the irregular shaft walls.

Engineered fill was then poured to seal the shaft and then a capping installed as per the MDG 6001 Requirements.

Results

The result was a complete success.The fill and capping was completed well within the time restraints and to a high installation and safety standard.