NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR GOLD MINING.

THE DISCUSSIONS PRESENTED IN THIS ARTICLE REPRESENT CERTAINHIGHLIGHTS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN PROGRAMS AIMING AT THE DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANIZED STOPING SYSTEMS WITH OR WITHOUT THE NORMAL DRILLING AND BLASTING CYCLES. WORKING COMPONENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS INCLUDE FLIGHT CONVEYORS, BLAST BARRICADES, MECHANICAL FACE MUCKERS, AND HYDRAULIC PROPS. THESE ARE THE COMMONELEMENTS OF MECHANICAL MINING SYSTEMS FOR THE NARROW REEFS OF THE WITWATERSRAND BASIN WHETHER DESIGNED FOR USE WITH EXPLOSIVE OR NONEXPLOSIVE ROCK BREAKING.