One of the major causes of accidents and loss of production in underground mines is falls of ground._x000D_
As mines go deeper, higher stresses are encountered and strain energy stored in the rocks is more likely to be released dynamically. This results in bumping in the rock mass around a stope or development face. Such noises and increasingly difficult ground conditions are obviously a warning of more serious problems ahead._x000D_
The activity is collectively referred to as rock bursting._x000D_
In Australia the mining of metalliferous deposits is taking place at increasing depths at Mt Isa, Broken Hill and the Eastern Goldfields and ground control problems with rock bursts has already been experienced at all three sites.