【文章內(nèi)容簡(jiǎn)介】 A decline in the number of dedicated mine seismologists on SA mines over the past decade has created a need for Rock Engineers to acquire a level of petency in mine seismology that would allow them to fulfil a number of functions previously occupied by mine seismologists. The parallel development of user friendly software as a tool for basic seismic data analysis has added to these requirements by offering the nonspecialist user an opportunity to carry out various forms of seismic data analysis. A further influence arises from the fact that seismology services are now outsourced on many mines, leaving rock engineering departments with the responsibility to control seismology contracts and liaise with suppliers, which adds managerial functions to their role in an already technically demanding field. This paper investigates the new role embraced by rock engineers on seismically active mines and suggests an outline of training contents that is able to provide the knowledge and skills required. The author has presented training courses with contents similar to those outlined here to rock engineering consultancies and mining houses in South Africa. 1 .Introduction Mine Seismologists in South Africa The development of digital seismic systems in the early 1990s and their installation on rock burst prone mines led to a proliferation of seismic data and the employment of specialised personnel in the field of mine seismology. Around 1996 the gold mining sector in South Africa had 24 mine seismologists to manage seismic systems, analyse and evaluate data and supply relevant information to mainly rock engineers, production personnel and mine management. Mine seismologist can be broadly defined as follows: Any person, irrespective of background and formal 13 training, whose sole responsibility is the management of seismic systems and / or the analysis and evaluation of seismic data originating from mining operations. Mine seismologists were, with the exception of two corporate seismologists, employed by the mine and integrated into the mine’s rock mechanics departments. This setup considering seismology part of rock engineering has developed from the perception that seismic information is best utilised in the department responsible for mine layout and support design. It ignores the fact that, academically, seismology forms part of geophysics, which is in some countries considered part of the geology discipline (USA) and in others part of the science of physics (Germany and France). Instead of being integrated with rock engineering, mine seismologists could have joined the prospecting divisions of mining houses and then be seconded to mines as the need arises. This would have opened up more career prospects and may have retained some of the seismologists in the field, preventing the exodus that took place in the second half of the 1990s. By mid 2021 AngloGoldLtd. (now AngloGoldAshanti) had lost all of its mine seismologists bar one on corporate level. Out of the original 24, eight changed their working field and four left the country. Gold Fields Ltd. retained three of its six experts, plus one on corporate level. Of those leaving the mines, six individuals joined existing or opened up their own consultancies, all of which are still in business today, three years later. By mid 2021, the number of minebased and employed seismologists stood at four, only one of which is on a mine not previously served in this way. The number of individuals in consultancies has recently increased to ten due to demand by Harmony GM Co. Ltd. Generally speaking, consultancies have taken over the role of service providers in the field, operating seismic works, managing the gathered data and analy sing and evaluating data for most rock burst prone mines. In this environment mine employed rock engineers bee primary customers of seismology services. They are in charge of controlling the contracts with service providers, but also carrying out basic analysis of seismic data with specialized software tools that are A closer look at the various functions executed during seismic data interpretation reveals requirements for senior rock engineering personnel whose responsibilities include seismology related tasks. There are four discernible task groups that rock engineers have to cover in such an environment: 1) Input into mine planning: Design bracket pillars for seismically active structures。 optimal face layout and mining sequence, production rate and face configuration to minimise seismic energy emission。 optimal placement of stability 14 pillar and their dimensions. 2) Support systems design, Evaluate rock burst information and peak ground motion estimates to remend excavation support patterns for dynamic oading conditions. 3) Hazard identification, Correlate trends and patterns in seismicity with information from other disciplines (geology, production, rockmechanics) for detection of potentially hazardous developments. 4) Contract management, Liaison with suppliers。 reviews and audits, quality control and other functions required to administer contracts with seismic service suppliers. . The first three points require a basic appreciation of mine seismology issues and an ability to apply such knowledge. Where it can contribute to safer mining environments seismology provides meaningful answers to relevant questions. Rock engineers need to be able to ask the right questions and fully prehend the answers. The last point assumes sufficient knowledge of seismic data quality and basic analysis methods to on duct audits and evaluate various aspects of supplier service delivery. The following outlines not only essential considerations, but also explains some of the tools that are currently available for lay users. Mine Seismology: UserFriendly Tools Some of