Since February things have slowed down on the dig, mainly because
a plan had to be formulated to stabilise the shaft chamber. Over the last two
months timbering has been put in place inside the chamber, the shaft size on
the start of the angle has been reduced from three compartments to two. The
first support on the angled section has been installed with scaffold spilling
driven over the top.
A lot of work has been done to stabilise the
straight section of shaft by mixing the spoil rock and mud with cement and
pouring this in behind the timber supports. Mains driven lighting has been also
installed in the work area and down the shaft, which is powered by a generator
located outside the level entrance. Water became a bit of a problem in the
shaft bottom and a pump was installed to help remove it. |