BEST PRACTICES

FOR
MECHANIZED
RAISING
 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE.................................................................................................................................4
SECTION 1 PERMITS AND REQUIREMENTS............................................................................5
REQUIRED FORMS:...................................................................................................5
EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS.......................................................................................6
SECTION 2 SAFETY..................................................................................................................7
SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARDS...................................................................................7
MECHANIZED RAISING – SAFETY RULES.......................................................................8
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT............................................................................9
DAILY DOCUMENTATION............................................................................................9
SECTION 3 DESIGN...............................................................................................................10
DRAWINGS REQUIRED TO DRIVE A MECHANICAL RAISE...............................................10
DRIVING LAYOUTS FOR THE RAISE...........................................................................10
NEST 10
SECTION 4 INSTALLATION.....................................................................................................11
REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................................11
SET-UP WORK.......................................................................................................11
SET-UP EXCAVATION - FIRST ROUNDS........................................................................12
SECOND ROUND....................................................................................................14
THIRD ROUND (IF REQUIRED)..................................................................................15
SECTION 5 RAISE CLIMBER SET-UPS.....................................................................................16
OFF-GROUND SET-UP............................................................................................16
ELEVATED PLATFORM- EXAMPLE...............................................................................17
ELEVATED NEST......................................................................................................18
SECTION 6 INSTALLING CURVE.............................................................................................19
SECTION 7 INSTALLING THE CLIMBER..................................................................................21
SECTION 8 COMMISSIONING...............................................................................................30
COMMISSIONING BRAKE TEST..................................................................................31
SECTION 9 STANDARD PROCEDURES...................................................................................32
GENERAL..............................................................................................................32
RAISE DRIVING PROCEDURES (GOOD GROUND)..........................................................34
RAISE DRIVING PROCEDURES (BAD GROUND).............................................................38
RAISE SURVEY........................................................................................................39
DRIVING RAISES OVER 600 FEET..............................................................................39
MUCKING.............................................................................................................40
RAIL MAINTENANCE...............................................................................................40
RAIL ALIGNMENT...................................................................................................42
PIPE INSTALLATION FOR DIESEL CLIMBER....................................................................43
WATER.................................................................................................................44
BREAKTHROUGH.....................................................................................................45

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 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

STRIPPING.............................................................................................................45
TRANSPORTATION...................................................................................................46
PROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING ACCESS TO DISABLED RAISE CLIMBER...............................46
MODIFICATION / FABRICATION.................................................................................46
COMMUNICATION..................................................................................................46
ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION..................................................................................47
ALICAB RESCUE PROCEDURE....................................................................................47
RAISE CLIMBER BRAKE TESTING PROCEDURE...............................................................47
SHIFT BRAKE TEST..................................................................................................47
DAILY SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE - AIR RAISE CLIMBER.............................................48
DAILY SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE - DIESEL RAISE CLIMBER.........................................49
WEEKLY SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE.........................................................................50
DIESEL RAISE CLIMBER............................................................................................50
MONTHLY SERVICE RAISE CLIMBER AIR AND DIESEL.....................................................50
DIESEL RAISE CLIMBER............................................................................................50
ALICAB SERVICE......................................................................................................51
SECTION 10 RAISE CLIMBER MAINTENANCE.......................................................................52
LIFE CYCLE OF A CEMENTATION RAISE CLIMBER...........................................................52
OVERHAUL STANDARDS...........................................................................................52
NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING.....................................................................................52
CENTRIFUGAL BRAKES.............................................................................................53
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS.....................................................................................53
DRIVE COMPONENTS, AIR-MOTORS, VALVE ASSEMBLIES, BRAKES..................................53
H-FRAME..............................................................................................................53
MAN CAGE...........................................................................................................54
DECKS..................................................................................................................54
ATTACHMENTS.......................................................................................................54
FORMS............................................................................................................................. 55
FIGURE 1 ALI-001 THOMPSON SHOP QUESTIONNAIRE................................................55
FIGURE 2 ALI-002 RAISE CLIMBER EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS...................................56
FIGURE 3 ALI-003 RAISE CLIMBER CERTIFICATE..........................................................61
FIGURE 4 ALI-004 RAISE CLIMBER WEIGHT AND CAPACITY CALCULATION.......................62
FIGURE 5 ALI-005 NOTICE TO DRIVE A MECHANICAL RAISE.........................................63
FIGURE 6 ALI-006 COMMISSIONING CHECKLIST.........................................................64
FIGURE 7 ALI-07 RAISE CLIMBER DAILY INSPECTION REPORT........................................66
ILLUSTRATIONS.......................................................................................................67
First Round Excavation.......................................................................................69

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 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

PURPOSE
To standardize and provide best practices for the safe and productive mechanized raising at Cementation projects.

To provide health and safety guidelines, in compliance with applicable legislation and company policies that will
ensure that a power driven Raise Climber is properly installed, well maintained and safely operated.

To comply with good engineering standards and with Health and Safety Regulations of various local and provincial
jurisdictions.

This guideline covers

 Permits and requirements prior to proceeding

 Safety
 Design
 Installation
 Commissioning
 Good operating procedures
 The maintenance of air/diesel climbers including climber ,platform, canopy, rail and attachments
 Drilling
 Blasting
 Ground Support and Installation
 Raise Screening
 Muck removal
 Breakthrough
 Stripping
 Maintenance

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 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

SECTION 1
PERMITS AND REQUIREMENTS
There is considerable documentation record keeping required when doing any mechanized raising for Cementation.
Some are required immediately after award of the contract, some are required to be posted at the site and some are
required to be filled out daily for the duration of the project. The following is a list of the necessary forms and a brief
description of each. Samples of each are contained at the end of these guidelines. It is also important to get the local
health and safety committee involved in any planning process early on in the project as they may require additional
documentation.

REQUIRED FORMS:

Form ALI-001 Thompson Shop Questionnaire

This form is to be filled out by the Project Manager and sent to the Thompson Shop. This will make it possible for
them to determine exactly what equipment you require and quantities. This must be sent ASAP as they made need to
order some longer term items. (Example deck)

Form ALI-002 Raise Climber Equipment Requirements

Thompson Shop will fill out this form with some of the information that is required to fill out the Calculations, Notice,
and Permit (below) (the numbers, etc.), as well as the calculations on rail required and all necessary components. This
form serves as a packing slip to show what is being shipped with the package. The items highlighted in green are
considered consumables and are directly charged to the job, the remaining items are included in the rental rate of
the package, these items must be returned to Thompson Shop after the job is complete or they will be charged
directly to the job.

Form ALI-003 Raise Climber Certificate

This form is to be completed and posted in the Raise Climber Nest.

Form ALI-004 Weight and Capacity Calculations

This form is used to do the complete weight calculations for the complete Raise Climber. It will also give you some
information required for form ALI-05

Form ALI-005 Notice to drive a Mechanical Raise

This form should have all the information required to drive the raise and should be submitted to the JHSC and to
proper authorities, as required, at least two weeks prior to the start of the raise.

Form ALI-006 Commissioning Inspection Check List

This check list is completed during the commissioning of the climber. This completed form is kept in the log book.

Ontario Raise Climber Log Books

These logbooks are to be used for all Cementation mechanized raises regardless of the province or state that the raise
is being driven.

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 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS

The common Core modules that a Mechanized Raise Miner must have to use a Mechanized Raise Climber are;

U000 – Follow Surface and Underground Induction

U001– Perform General Inspections
U002– Scale Loose Rock
U003– Set up wooden staging, or 03b set up mechanical staging
U004– Drill Rock
U005– Rock Bolt Ground
U006– Blast Rock
U007– Mucking (U008, U009 or U010)
U011 – Extend Services
U012 – Lock and Tag
U013 – Operate Lifting Mechanisms
And Module U0064, Perform Mechanized Raising.

For a Mechanized Raise Leader position, they must have the above modules and the modules from Program 770121
– Common Core for First Line Underground Supervisor:

U6100 Follow Safety Program

U6101 Prepare for Emergencies
U6102 Health and Hygiene
U6103 Effective Communication
U6104 Manage Work Area
U6105 Manage Employees
U6106 Follow Mine Report
U6107 Ground Control Installation
U6108 Control and Apply Ventilation

Mechanic

- Ontario Common Core Modules

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 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

SECTION 2
SAFETY

SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARDS

Safety and health hazards that may be encountered or must be addressed during the execution of these procedures
include:

 Open holes

 Loose ground

 Poor ventilation

 Excessive loading of the climber

 Poor maintenance

 Disabled climber

 Lack of communication

 Poor Housekeeping

 Improper Personal protective equipment

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 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

MECHANIZED RAISING – SAFETY RULES

 Only persons who are authorized and fully instructed in its use and operation shall be permitted to operate a
Raise Climber.

 Only competent Raise Climber mechanics are permitted to perform maintenance on the equipment.

 All Raise Climbers shall be inspected, tested and maintained in a safe operating condition by appointed and
qualified personnel.

 Complete records of all inspections, tests, maintenance and repairs shall be kept in the Raise Climber log
book by the authorized person on the project.

 Operating crews are to inspect their machine at the start of each shift and report any problems to their
supervisor. Immediate remedial action is to be taken by the supervisor in charge.

 Operating crews are to record their activities in a logbook in the supervisor’s office.

 All operators are to be trained with regard to emergency descents in the event of a failure.

 A suitable barrier and sign “Men Working Below” shall be installed at the top of the raise where a Raise
Climber operates below.

 When persons are being transported in a conveyance, there shall be proper discipline of persons riding in
the conveyance. The authorized operator shall have the authority to ensure proper discipline.

 When material is being transported in a Raise Climber, it shall be suitably restrained and secured.

 Only those persons necessary to perform the work shall be transported with explosives, steel or other
material or equipment.

 Material or equipment shall not be dropped down a raise from the conveyance.

 Fall arrest harnesses and safety lanyards shall be worn when an open hole condition exists with 100% tie off
at all times.

 Except for inspection or surveying purposes, no person shall ride on the work platform while the conveyance
is in motion. Under no circumstances shall anyone ride the platform while going around the curve.

 Sufficient oxygen generating self rescuers shall be carried on the climber when a diesel climber is used. All
workers shall be trained in their use.

 The canopy must be installed and angled to the raise before any drilling is conducted from the climber
platform.

 The load on the Raise Climber shall not exceed the manufacturer’s specifications nor the posted calculations.

 When scaling large pieces of loose, effort must be made to prevent injuries and damage to the climber.

 Walls must be scaled as work progresses in the raise. Scaling bars must be in good condition and of proper
length and must be on the unit.

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 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

 A suitable method of communication should be available at all Raise Climber installations.

 When a Raise Climber set up is complete, and before the Raise Climber is placed into service, a final
inspection is to be carried out by a qualified person.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

 All necessary PPE must be kept in good condition and worn at all times.

 Above their regular PPE all employees going in the raise must have documented Fall Arrest Training and wear
full body harness. The tie off shall be to the climber, not the rail or wall.

 A CO monitor must be carried at all times in the raise.

 Hard hats.

 Safety glasses with side shields

 Safety toed boots with metatarsal guards

 Gloves

 Double hearing protection

 Lanyards

 Self retracting life lines

 Oxygen generating self rescuers (when a diesel climber is used)

DAILY DOCUMENTATION
 Ontario Raise Climber Logbook

 5 Point Card

 Raise Climber Daily Inspection Report

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 BEST PRACTICES FOR MECHANIZED RAISING

SECTION 3
DESIGN

DRAWINGS REQUIRED TO DRIVE A MECHANICAL RAISE

Driving layouts for the raise

Cementation Supervision should be involved in the layout of the raise as early as possible for the following
reasons:

 To be sure that the dimensions are within Cementation policy. (e.g.: 100 sq. ft. max)

 To be sure the nest dimensions are right for the climber. Height, width and length of the nest depend on
size and length of raise. (Single drive, double drive, Alicab on rail etc.)

 Cementation does not drive flat degree raises where ground conditions may cause anchor bolts to slip.

 Layouts must contain information on geology to be encountered, faults and slips.

 Any diamond drill holes that may be encountered. Also guarding procedures and guarding locations for
diamond drill hole intersections.

 Breakthrough locations (rock work may be required prior to breakthrough)

 Ground Support (Cementation does not drive raises that do not include full column resin grouted rebar
or its equivalent)
 Provisions may be required for remote mucking depending on dip.

NEST
 The nest area must be a minimum of 1.2 metres (4 feet) wider than the platform and sufficient head room
should be provided.

 The nest should be at least 12.2 metres long (40 feet) for a single drive and 15.8 metres (52 feet) for a
double drive unit.

 More space may be required if the Alicab is to be mounted on the rail on the setup.

 Provisions must be made for raise mucking.

 Nest area must be well lit.

 See nest drawings in the “Raise Climber Set-Ups” Section.

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SECTION 4
INSTALLATION

REQUIREMENTS
 An Alicab must be on site and ready to be installed on the rail any time a Raise Climber is operating
regardless of raise length. It must be available for operation within 5 hours of a distress signal being
received.

 All bolts used on Raise Climber are to be grade five bolts.

 Stiff legs must have three bolts per leg.

 Safety chains must be installed from basket to deck

 An extra roller frame must be used with decks over 6’6”x6’6” (2mx2m). This can cause some problems in the
flatter raises. The deck may need to be installed further from the hanging wall.

SET-UP WORK
The best way to excavate for a climber setup is to drill and blast enough raise using conventional methods to allow
the climber platform to come to a horizontal position. Ideally, this will be one round from a scissor lift or staging and
the second round then drilled off from a similar conventional setup, and not blasted. It can be blasted after the
climber is set up. This normally allows for enough room to get the curve rail installed on line and dip. In some cases,
(for example, when a curve is long, or in flat raise, or the first rounds do not break well, or if the brow overbreaks) an
extra round may be required.

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A longer set of stiff legs may be required for the first two rounds taken from the climber deck. The deck cannot be
levelled without them as the unit will not be out of the curve.

SET-UP EXCAVATION - FIRST ROUNDS

 A thorough site inspection of the work area must be done to identify any hazards.

 Area to be scaled and washed down.

 A removable barricade must be installed across the entrance to the nest complete with proper signage.
Danger Keep Out, Men Working Above, No smoking, Etc.

 Have surveyors mark up the line and back sight. Also mark up the whole perimeter of the round. This will
assure the first round does not start off twisted and avoid extra rock work.

 In the smaller raises, it is preferable to open up the footwall to allow for the canopy and the rail to go around
the corner. Consult with the client before doing this. If a chute is to be installed there may be specifications
for throat size need to be considered when collaring the raise.

 The first round can be excavated either from a scissor lift or from a properly constructed work staging.

 Drill off the first round which should include a small slash of the brow to match the curve installation.

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 Drill extra holes on the perimeter. Some may not need to be blasted but will help with a shearing effect. Be
sure to use a degree rule on footwall and hanging wall holes to establish the proper dip.

 If the second round is to be drilled from a staging holes must be drilled for it. These holes must be collared
inside the face and drilled out into the side wall at an angle that would put them about two feet up from the
collar when the round is blasted. They must be drilled to a depth of six feet as some of the wall will likely
peel.

 Install extra ground support around the perimeter of the raise. If possible, install extension bolts in the brow
of the raise. Straps may also be required. Extra effort here will pay off once the first round is blasted.
Overbreak on the hanging wall must be minimized to prevent the need for long spacers in the curve.

 Load and blast round. Perimeter blasting control methods must be used and holes should not be loaded to
the collar.

 Use extreme caution when returning to the raise collar after the blast. There are now four brows to deal with
(hanging wall, footwall and the 2 side walls) all of which may be loose. Area must be washed and scaled
using proper length scaling bars. The round should be mucked out and raise area scaled from a scissor lift or
other piece of equipment to minimize exposure to workers. It is much safer than trying to scale this area off
a sloping muck pile. If muck is required to make it easier for setting up on the second round it can be put
back in.

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SECOND ROUND

 The second round may be taken

 from a scissor lift or

 from an appropriate work staging.
 Once the setup is complete 100% of the face is to be screened immediately. Mechanical bolts can be used to
screen the face. This is the only application for mechanical bolts in a raise.

 For these first rounds all the ground support should be put in prior to drilling on the round.

 Drill off second round

 Drill pin holes for the third round, if required.

 Gear out

 If a third round is required, load and blast round using perimeter blasting methods.

 If a third round is not required:

o Drill eyebolts on center line for chainblock to pull up rail.

o Leave one stoper to anchor rail.
o Gear out remaining gear.
o Leave the round hanging to be loaded off Raise Climber after set-up

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THIRD ROUND (IF REQUIRED)

 Wash and scale raise nest area

 Caution must be exercised in examining second round.

 Wash and scale the round

 Install staging

 Screen face 100%

 Install ground support

 Drill full length round

 Drill eyebolts on center line for chainblock to pull up rail.

 Leave one stoper to anchor rail.

 Gear out remaining gear.

 Leave round hanging to be loaded off Raise Climber after set-up

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SECTION 5
RAISE CLIMBER SET-UPS
This document deals with three types of Raise Climber set-ups:
Off-ground set-up
Elevated platform
Elevated nest

OFF-GROUND SET-UP
This is the conventional Raise Climber set up; the minimum excavation size for this set up is 10 ft by 10 ft by 52 feet
long in addition to the muck removal access.

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ELEVATED PLATFORM- EXAMPLE

In this setup the muck removal access and the Raise Climber nest occupy the same excavation. As with the off-the-ground
setup the Raise Climber requires an area at least 10 ft wide by 10 feet high 52 feet long. In this instance the nest is
installed on a platform which is constructed to allow muck removal below the nest. In this design the access drift must be
driven large enough to accommodate the equipment that will be used to remove the muck below the platform.

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ELEVATED NEST
These types of excavations are typically used for rock or ore passes since they allow for construction of a chute or other
muck control structure at the bottom of the raise before the completion of the raise excavation. They also offer more
flexibility with regard to design of the raise and chute; typically the bottom section of the raise is driven 5 ft by 5 ft wide
with a much larger raise driven above using the Raise Climber.

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SECTION 6
INSTALLING CURVE

There are two types of curves depending on the number of drive units.

 A short curve can be used for a single drive unit.

 A long curve must be used for a double drive unit.
 Have surveyor make the hanging wall of the raise and the backsight in the nest.

 Assemble all rails as per the manufacturers curve recommendations. (See Illustrations). The Raise Climber can jam
in the curve if proper sequence is not used.

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 This section of pre-assembled rail should include all the curve, and the horizontal straight sections up to but not
including the service rail
 Make sure o-rings are properly installed. Some grease helps hold them in place when assembling the rail.

 If it is a long raise, be sure to install the best rail and o-rings at the bottom to prevent water leakage, as the water
pressure will be highest in the bottom of the raise.

 Using chain blocks hoist curve into position. Put the curve very close to the required degree and anchor the top.

 Hoist the back of the rail to proper line and degree, and anchor the rail using the approved hardware.

 If there is room for a spacer, be sure to install them to minimize the damage to anchor bolts.

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SECTION 7
INSTALLING THE CLIMBER
 Install the roller assemblies on the installed rail.

 Install service rail in a location to allow the climber to move back far enough that you can access the sprockets of
the top drive unit at the service rail should they need to be changed

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 The drive unit is hoisted into position mounted on the service rail

 Be sure the rail in this location is far enough from the back that the mechanic can get above the u-frame to clean.
This also makes changing of the rollers much easier.

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 Install a stop block in a location that prevents the climber striking anything. (hose reel, Alicab, etc).

 A roller must be installed on the brow to prevent trailing hose from being damaged from rubbing the brow.

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 Care must be taken when transporting climber to set up site to avoid damage

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 Install main beams, connecting beams and assemble with extra roller assembly

 Install the climber deck as close to possible to the hanging wall (This is required so the backholes are not looking
out too far back into the hanging wall causing gouging.)

 Normally, use the second hole from the bottom of the platform slot.

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 Install control valves

 Install GA5 device

 Install canopy

 Install basket and support legs

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 Install and anchor hose reel

 Install water booster pump / water tank if required.

 Install airline booster as required
 Install drill steel boots
 Install tool box

 Install shelving and storage

 Install pipes and hosing as per standard

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 A water trap must be installed if there is water in the air. Water in the air can break the head or the crankshaft as
water cannot be compressed.
 Plumb climber

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 Ensure all permits, plans, driving layouts are hung in a visible location

 Ensure all safety devices are installed and in place (phones, fire extinguishers)

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