Reported in UK Coal’s monthly newsletter, NewScene, the introduction of the system at the Mablty mine is aimed at reducing crib density in the tailgate. The 300m wide face is being protected by the props with hardly any signs of convergence.

The stress on roadways at Maltby immediately in front of the moving face can be twice as great as expected given the depth of working.

The 1.6m props are proving quicker to install than conventional cribs which have to be manually built at metre intervals by two workers as the face retreats.

The face has retreated over 1,400m with 12 Rocprops installed at 1.2m centres to monitor performance.

Rocprops are widely used in US and Australian underground coal mines, and in South African gold mines.