A rope anchor is a powerful fastening system designed to reinforce large rock masses and ensure long-term stability of underground workings. Unlike rigid rod anchors, flexible steel cables allow fasteners to be installed at considerable depths, effectively "stitching" unstable rock layers to a solid supporting massif.
Cable anchors are an indispensable solution in complex mining and geological conditions and are often used:
- In a two-level fastening scheme: They act as anchors of the second, deeper level, ensuring the stability of the main massif, while the anchors of the first level (rod) hold the contour layers of rock.
- In a combined scheme: They effectively complement other types of fastening (for example, arch), redistributing the load and significantly increasing the overall reliability and safety of the working face.
