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unrolling down the slope. Up to 30%
reduction in installation time have been
reported by contractors. The QUAROX® fits
unobtrusively on the slopes and can be
coloured using power coating to give it an
even better visual appeal. The chain link
construction of the cable nets offer much
better force transmission than traditional
connection by cross clips. Standard support
ropes, seaming ropes and shackles are used
for the installation.
Other open pit mines where Geobrugg
had supplied material for draping solutions,
include Sishen Mine, Venetia Mine and
Letseng Mine.
Rockfall barriers
At other local mines in South Africa,
Geobrugg had been involved in the installa-
tion of rockfall barriers as another measure
to mitigate rockfalls. Rockfall barriers have
the advantage that if a stable foundation
can be achieved it is possible to effectively
protect the area below the fence without
the need to access onto the berm and
without enlarging berms. Geobrugg’s range
of barriers include the GBE and RXE rockfall
protection barriers. GBE barriers have passed
the approval test in accordance with the
ETAG 027 guidelines laid down by the Euro-
pean Organisation for Technical Approvals.
The test involved a vertical drop at least
25 m/s (90 km/h). All GBE barriers are regis-
tered with an official ETA approval number
and bear the CE conformity marking. GBE
barriers up to 3 000 kJ are pre-assembled as
standard and delivered to construction sites
with suitable nets mounted to the posts.
Furthermore the GBE barriers have a consid-
erably smaller carbon footprint than concrete
galleries or other steel constructions.
The RXE barriers had been certified to
absorb impacts of up to 8 000 kJ, which
equates to a rock weighing 20 metric
tonnes travelling at over 100 km/h. RXE
barriers have been designed to meet the
toughest of challenges, and boasts a low
deflection. During maximum impact events,
a 1 000 kJ system (RXE-1000) will deflect by
only 4,36 m. This implies that the barriers
can be installed closer to the object or
building to be protected or on traffic routes.
It is therefore simple to install. Pre-assem-
bled components also speed up the installa-
tion process.
Geobrugg, a reliable partner
It is the task of its engineers (and partners)
to analyse the problem together with the
client in detail and then, together with local
consultants, to present solutions. Painstaking
planning is not the only thing you can expect
from them, however; since it has its own
production plants on four continents, it can
offer not only short delivery paths and times,
but also optimal local customer services.
With a view towards a trouble-free execution,
it delivers pre-assembled and clearly identi-
fied system components right to the construc-
tion site. There Geobrugg provides support,
if desired, including technical support – from
installation right on up until acceptance of
the structure. Geobrugg’s South African office
is based in Honeydew.
Installation of the QUAROX° PLUS rolled cable net.
Continued from page 42