Architecture and management of a geological repository - Andra

7 – The shafts and the driftsFigure 7.5.1Shaft sinking platform (salt mine of Konradsberg – Heilbronn – Germany)The fixed equipment consists of a head frame and a set of winches which are used to move themovable equipment. This fixed equipment installed to construct the shaft will be totally or partiallyreplaced by final equipment at the end of the shaft’s construction.• Shaft sinkingThe largest part of the shaft sinking operations are performed with the platform. This platform is used,on the one hand, for the sinking – ground support operations and, on the other hand, for the linerinstalling operations.Mine holes are drilled using drilling jumbos supported by the work platform.After the mine holes have been loaded with explosives, a blasting volley is fired corresponding to adepth of approximately 2 to 3 m according to the shaft’s diameter.After the blast fumes have been evacuated thanks to forced ventilation, the broken rocks areevacuated. A cactus grab loads a kibble 123 , which is raised to the surface by a winch.A ground support (rockbolts or steels sets) is gradually installed as the broken rocks pile diminishes.The concrete liner is then poured by segments from the work platform, with the concrete lowered intothe shaft by specially equipped pipelines.• Final shaft equipmentInstalling the final shaft equipment consists of, first, installing the fixed installations located inside theshaft : equipment of the sump and the bottom station, installation of the cage guiding rail supports andthe rails themselves, and, if necessary, construction of walls between the various compartments of theshafts. This assembly is normally accomplished by using the equipment used to sink the shafts.123 Cyllindrical buckets specifically designed for shaft sinking.DOSSIER 2005 ARGILE -ARCHITECTURE AND MANAGEMENT OF A GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL SYSTEM306/495