Szkoła Eksploatacji Podziemnej

Since the very beginning of Polish copper mining, due to difficult hydro-geological conditions, special treatment of highly saturated Cenosoic rocks during shaft sinking was required. Shaft freezing has been chosen as a method to consolidate these rocks. Due to the rock mass structure and water inflow potential, shaft sinking without freezing was considered as highly dangerous. In the course of time, when the experience was evolving, rock mass freezing technology became safer and more reliable. New techniques appeared not only in the technical method of freezing, but also in the matter of controlling the process as well as its designing. Computer aided techniques allow engineers to make a detailed analysis and view of freeze wall development. In this paper, the evolution of knowledge and engineering experience taken in Polish copper mines and current knowledge level in that matter were shown.