Roof bolt bearing plate and method are disclosed for use in underground mining operations. A dome-shaped roof bolt bearing plate and method support the roof in a mine. The bearing plate is round or elliptical different from conventional commercial roof support devices. No dangerous edges and corners protrude downward. A recessed center is lower than the outer rim. A thin outer rim conforms to roof irregularities. The roof bolt bearing plate and method have been found to provide important advantages over conventional commercial roof support devices, including (1) concealing the head of the roof bolt to a preferred degree, (2) conforming to the roof's irregularities which will cause causing the plate to remain tight, (3) provide readability so the installer can to determine the quality and integrity of installation and anchorage, and (4) compressing the lower strata of the mine roof, thereby and creating a beam like support for the upper layers of the mine roof.