Author 1:
Name & Surname: Belousov V. V.
Company: Apatit JSC (Kirovsk, Russia)
Work Position: Deputy Technical Director for Mining
Contacts: e-mail: VBelousov@phosagro.ru

Author 2:
Name & Surname: Osipenko A. V.
Company: Apatit JSC (Kirovsk, Russia)
Work Position: Director for Capital Development

Author 3:
Name & Surname: Sakharov A. N.
Company: Apatit JSC (Kirovsk, Russia)
Work Position: Chief Underground Miner (since 2004 till 2013)

The authors present the research engineering and pilot projects that give grounds for the transition of Apatit deep mines operating under higher rock pressure and geodynamic hazard to the use of shotcrete for tunnel support based on the most advanced technologies and equipment known in the world. The comparative strength tests of samples made of shotcrete with addition of plastifiers and cement settling accelerators from different manufacturers are reported. On the background of the pilot projects and experience practice, the production procedures for tunnel support using shotcrete with dopes have been developed and introduced in Apatit mines. The authors state the increase in the tunnel support rate by 30% on an average; reduction in shotcrete loss (due to kickback in spaying) up to 5%; thickening of shotcrete layer per single application to 4–6 cm; applicability of shotcrete spraying in the zone of blasting; reduction of dust content and improvement of safety of fixturing operations. The trends of further research and development in the sphere of new types and methods of support for underground mines are indicated.

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