It is not often that mines have as much warning of the approach of bad ground conditions as was the case at the Western Mining Corporation, Kambalda Nickel Operations Lafranchi/Schmitz Decline. Most aspects of this operation are in fact quite unique and like the best solutions, the answer to the problem of weak and foliated ground conditions was relatively simple; requiring the use of readily available explosives although the idea of using it in this manner may not be the most obvious.
The use of high shock energy POWERGEL 2131 cartridges proved to be the correct answer, in conjunction with small changes in drill pattern design. The resulting lack of overbreak bears testimony to the success of the concept and the commitment of the miners to achieving a safe working environment.