GROUND CONTROL

Rockbolts are rare at El Indio. You might find them in the service bays, along with screening or shotcreting. But they are not in evidence in the main drifts or in stopes. Only where drifts cross faults is ground support required. Timber sets and steel reinforcing are generally used. But mine manager Daniel Vanin said a changeover to shotcreting is in the works. The shotcrete machines are mounted on Normet carriers.