What is a key requirement for maintaining stoppings once constructed?

Monitoring for integrity is essential for maintaining stoppings in underground mining. Stoppings are barriers constructed to control airflow and isolate areas within the mine, playing a critical role in both safety and operational efficiency. Regular monitoring ensures that these structures remain effective over time by allowing for early detection of any issues such as structural weaknesses, water ingress, or air leaks. Addressing any signs of deterioration promptly helps prevent hazardous situations that could compromise both mine safety and ventilation effectiveness.

While painting stoppings can provide some level of protection and visibility, it is not a primary requirement for maintaining their functionality. Similarly, while it is important to leave stoppings undisturbed to retain their integrity, simply avoiding disturbance does not suffice without ongoing monitoring. Expanding stoppings without proper evaluation and structural assessments could lead to compromised safety and operational efficiency. Therefore, the key practice centers on vigilant oversight of their condition to ensure ongoing proper function.