Water resistant solution for underground mines

Developed specifically for reinforcement and stabilisation where conditions may result in erosion from water, Aquacrete Wet-Repel™ has achieved a new benchmark in ventilation control performance. 
While achieving a compressive strength of up to 25 MPa, Aquacrete Wet-Repel’s water absorption is very similar to that of concrete, achieving an absorption rate of less than 18 per cent.
As with other Aquacrete shotblast products, Aquacrete Wet-Repel bonds well to hard rock and coal and can be applied in a single application to any desired thickness. It is not necessary to apply a thin spray-on liner prior to or after shotblasting with Aquacrete Wet-Repel. As a result of its rapid-setting properties, Wet-Repel can achieve specified compressive strength in as little as 24 hours.
“The introduction of Aquacrete Wet-Repel reinforces our commitment to providing products that are designed to increase productivity and enhance underground safety,” said Aquacrete managing director, John Whitfield.
“The ease of application and the high early strength achieved by our shotblast products have resulted in Aquacrete being widely specified in underground mines throughout Australia.”
Aside from the water-resistant properties, Aquacrete Wet-Repel provides a gas and air barrier, has a high capacity to resist fire and has excellent anti-static properties, further adding to the product’s ability to enhance mine safety.
With more than 15 years as a specialist manufacturer of ventilation control solutions, Aquacrete has a well-earned reputation for research and innovative solutions in the Australian underground mining sector.
“Our technical services team has subjected our products to stringent product testing protocols over the years. In addition to live blast testing, our products have undergone tests to determine product strength, over-pressure ratings, fire resistance, diffusivity properties and water permeability ratings. They have exceeded the required standards in all tests and are widely specified by underground coal and metalliferous mines throughout Australia,” said Whitfield.
Aquacrete is now concluding further studies into non-destructive testing protocols for installed ventilation control devices.