Rocsil Foam has been used for the past ten years in the French and German coal mining industry. Manufacturer Weber, claims that it has eliminated the use of foaming cements for longwall cavity filling in those countries.
Longwall consultant Chris Taylor is assisting Wilson Mining with introducing the product into Australia.
“I think Rocsil Foam will revolutionise how longwall cavities are filled in Australia,” Taylor told ILN. “The product is available through Wilson Mining and they have enough to fill a 350 cubic metre cavity today. The product is produced in Australia and more is available each week so stocks are building rapidly.”
The two component product is used for combating spontaneous combustion, air and gas sealing, rapid cavity filling on longwall faces and stabilising of highly fractured strata. It is also claimed to be suited for sealing off underground heating and mine fires. It can be applied to cavity filling in gate roads and for sealing of roadways.
The mixture, applied with a metering pump and mixing gun, expands up to 35 times its original volume and is fully cured in five minutes.
In 2002 alone, some 3,500 tonnes of Rocsil Foam was used in Germany. Weber claims the application reduces longwall downtime by up to eight times. Other advantages include that the foam will not burn or propagate flame. It can be used for injection where large voids exist in strata.
For further information please contact Wilson Mining on (02) 4942 6645, or Chris Taylor 0413362517.
