Ralph B. Moore, a distinguished salesman of mining equipment, is solely responsible for introducing roof bolts to the western mining industry. In addition, he designed the first pull test apparatus to test the amount of pressure roof bolts could withstand—an extremely important factor in the use of bolts.
He grew up in Alma in the old mining district of South Park, Colorado, and sported a scar on his seat until the day he died from where he was bitten by the famous burro, Prunes.
He found his niche in life as a salesman of mining supplies and started his own company, Ralph B. Moore, Inc. in Denver. He was well respected for his integrity, and his vast knowledge of the mining industry prompted mine operators to joke that he knew more about their mines and requirements than they did.
In 1950, Moore introduced roof bolts (rock bolts) to his customers as a replacement for mine timbers. He had learned of the use of the bolts in eastern mines, and had persuaded Colorado Fuel and Iron of Pueblo, Colorado to manufacture them for him. He realized that the value of these bolts would be to coal as well as hard rock mine operators. The advantages were clear: the bolts would provide better roof support. Five bolts could support as much ground as a set of timer, and they could be installed immediately. The bolts cost half as much as timber and greatly reduced the fire hazards. His enthusiasm for this new innovation carried over to the mine operators. After he sold them the bolts, he installed them himself while teaching the miners how to do it. Next he designed a pull test apparatus to test the amount of pressure the bolts could withstand. The components of his test equipment are still in use today.
In the fall of 1952, he installed the first roof bolts in the famous Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota and, during 1958, Homestake used more than 43,000 of the bolts. Today, roof bolting remains an essential part of their ground control.
In 1970, Ralph B. Moore was honored posthumously by the Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute for his dedication and contributions to the industry.
