A rail tunnel being excavated using drill & blast method

Underground mining

AFRY's solutions for underground mining

From planning to breakthrough and further to completion, regardless of whether the work is carried out using mining or open construction methods, our experts place great importance on the highest quality in underground construction.

Construction management in underground construction

We create cost-effective tunnel solutions for environmentally friendly construction, and we minimise the associated risks. The safety and protection of people and the environment are our top priorities in every project. From the preliminary study to commissioning, our experts advise you with the necessary expertise.

Innovative solutions at the forefront

Whether a tunnel needs to be newly designed or refurbished, AFRY understands the complexities of nature and technology.
Through extensive exploration measures, calculations and studies, we strive to map the behaviour of soft ground and rock as reliably as possible and take this into account in our planning. This becomes even more important when structures reach the limits of what is technically possible – whether these are power plant caverns of enormous dimensions, advances and underpasses with low overburden or the excavation of underground cavities in demanding ground conditions.

New built projects: From feasibility study to implementation

Underground construction has a long tradition in our core countries and is considered reliable and safe. Underground structures are an important part of modern infrastructure and play a significant role in the development of cities and regions. Despite technological advances, underground construction remains one of the most complex disciplines in the construction industry.

One of the most famous tunnel construction achievements in the railway sector: the Gotthard Base Tunnel

Maintenance and tunnel refurbishment: long-term preservation with targeted tunnel refurbishment measures

Even tunnels age. Regular inspections and refurbishment works are necessary to ensure safety requirements and usability.

Portal area of a tunnel

The tunnel structures are of great economic and cultural value. To ensure that this value is preserved in the long term, maintenance and refurbishment measures must be planned based on professional inspections, the intended use and the planned remaining service life.

AFRY's experts are committed to the sustainable renovation of tunnels with masonry, which are the oldest rock cavern structures and some of which are over 100 years old. The service life of masonry can be extended with proven renovation concepts and targeted refurbishment measures. Even existing reinforced concrete structures can be used for longer with targeted renovation.

We accompany our clients from theory to practice and are eager to provide advice. Our experts carry out monitoring and inspections and prepare studies for concrete or masonry refurbishment. We take on mandates for the project planning, tendering and execution phases, including construction management, and take care of the maintenance of the facilities. We are your point of contact for expert opinions, tests and technical experts and carry out material technology investigations.

The ground conditions determine the method

Various construction methods are used in underground construction, which are selected depending on the geological and hydrogeological conditions and the specific project requirements.

Blasting
Mechanical tunnelling

Blasting

AFRY's solutions for blasting

We are specialized in vibration and the environmental impacts that arise in construction and building projects.

We create cost-effective solutions for construction with environmental responsibility and minimize the related risks. In everything from planning and construction documents and administrative regulations to excavation, drilling, piling and blasting, our consultants are there to assist you with the required expertise.

We plan and supervise blasting above and below ground. We carry out impartial inspections, vibration measurements and damage investigations to assess the connection between third-party damage and the earthworks in question, such as blasting, piling and excavation.

Safety and consideration for people and the surrounding environment are our top priorities in every assignment. Our far-reaching flexibility and highly experienced expert staff guarantee that we will always give you the best possible service. Our skills and know-how keep your company on the safe side both during and after your construction projects.

We offer technical advice and perform risk analyses, measurements and structural surveys in connection with land development and construction, excavation, blasting, piling and other vibration-causing activities.

Examples of services:
• Structural surveys
• Risk asessment
• Damage investigation
• Blasting
• Vibration measurement

Mechanical tunnelling

Utilising our experience in tunnel construction in shafts vertically

Comprehensive and sustainable services tailored to your needs

A precise knowledge of geological and geotechnical properties and hydrogeological conditions is the key to project success. Complex conditions demand creativity from our engineers when choosing the advance method. A qualified and motivated team of experienced employees develops innovative and convincing solutions at AFRY. Clients can count on the support of professionals. We carry out concepts and preliminary studies for feasibility and construction methods, dimensioning and stability analyses, and risk analyses. We support you in project planning, tendering and execution, monitoring and inspection, maintenance of the plant, and provide expert opinions and technical expertise.

Our underground mining expertise at a glance:

Preliminary studies and concepts
Risk analyses
Project planning, tendering, execution, including construction management.
Surveying
Monitoring/inspections
Expert reports and technical experts
Client support

Our employees work in a wide range of specialist areas. Engineers, geotechnical engineers, geologists and experts from all fields of tunnelling are part of our core team.