In situ nitrogen permeability testing was undertaken in a borehole drilled between the No. 2 and No. 3 Tunnels at the Donkin-Morien Project. The object of this work was to assess whether the 'technique of in situ gas permeability testing could be used to assess changes in the sidewall rock integrity caused by the different excavation methods used to drive the two tunnels. After a description of the test site, equipment and procedures, the results are presented and discussed.

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Since 1982, the Rock Mechanics Group of the Energy, Mines and Resources CANMET–CRL Cape Breton Coal Research Laboratory has been closely involved in assessing the behaviour of mine openings in the underground workings of the Sydney Coalfield, Nova Scotia. This paper examines a variety of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring techniques used to assess strata behaviour during the different phases of longwall mining operations: gateroad deformation, floor heave, intersections, gateside pack behaviour, and subsidence monitoring. Key words: instrumentation, coal mining, longwall mining, geotechnical monitoring, subsidence, tunnels, Sydney Coalfield.

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Pull strength tests were performed on six resin rebar rock bolts in the coal sample drivage of the Donkin mine. This report presents the results of the testing, indicating that all six bolts resisted a load of 19.6 tonnes without failure.