Search Documents

By M Schmid

German hard coal mining operations have decreased for more than 40 years. Current political decisions are leading to a discontinuation of subsidised black coal mining by the year 2018. This decision will, however, be reviewed once again in the year 2012. The enormous increases in productivity, which were achieved in previous years, have so far not led to an achievement of market requirements. Coal mining at depth of more than 1200 m in multiple seam environments is not yet competitive in global comparison. In 2008 the 24 faces left in eight mines produced about 20 million tonnes of usable steam coal. Management and the workforce will be reduced in parallel; from today until 2012 by more than half. The average age of personnel is increasing dramatically and nearly no new personnel are recruited. With this background in mind, increasing continuously coal mining productivity becomes more and more difficult. Above all, this goal was reached by mechanisation, then by increasing the mining machine power and then by enhanced machine control systems. The first attempts to automatically operate full face equipment from above ground were in the early 1980s. After successful automation of the face equipment, the emphasis is now on mine logistics. Autonomous monorail transport was introduced and tested in 2007. Since the development rate of machine improvements has its limits, the focus is on the full interaction of the total production system. Here information technology (IT) becomes important; the driver for more productivity. Actual developments aim for the complete and general homogeneous IT infrastructure both above ground as well as underground. The explosive environment needs high level investments in safe technology, eg access points for WLAN and fibre optics for underground use (ATEX certification). New technology availability also drives the enhancements of management and process control systems. Innovations in the mining industry often comprise technology advances through the adoption of well-known technologies. With virtual reality (VR) teaching and training systems advanced computational instruments, both in software and hardware development, were applied in the German coal mining industry for ten years. Widening lists of applications as well as the encouraging achievements show the economical benefits of investing in virtual reality technology both for teaching and training and for knowledge management. The paper discusses the actual technical achievements as well as in IT infrastructure utilisation and also in employment of virtual reality based systems. Special focus and deeper insight will be given to the fibre optics and WLAN hardware integration as well as software developments. The pocket personal computer (PC) is used to enhance underground material transport and data acquisition. The knowledge-based maintenance system (KBMS) integrates real-time virtual reality knowledge elements, such as repair process descriptions. It gives access to expert documentation by intelligent search algorithms and 3D representations of major mining machinery.

Jan 1, 2008

By A R. Hollis, M Heddon

The safe life cycle of a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) is founded on the fundamentals of proper design, construction, operation and closure. Leinster Nickel Operations (Leinster) utilises four active TSF cells that are cycled between filling (deposition), desiccation, and construction to meet a targeted rate of rise. This results in ongoing and consistent raising of the TSF walls. Critical to maintaining the safe life cycle through this consistent wall raising is precision construction and high frequency quality assurance to ensure compliance to design requirements and TSF walls free from defects. Leinster has recently deployed Intelligent Machine Control technology for TSF construction. Advances in Intelligent Machine Control have decreased variability in construction; ensuring variations are within the tolerances of design. The Intelligent Machine Controls are programed to ensure construction conforms to design tolerances of +/-30mm. This level of accuracy provides assurance of borrow area set out, compacted layers are as per design, compaction monitoring is within the zone placed, scarification between layers to prevent lamination is maintained, and batter angles are set to the correct grade. This level of control provides certainty that construction meets the design intent. In conjunction with Intelligent Machine Control, periodic drone surveys are conducted to verify construction against design. Advancement in survey equipment and techniques allow higher frequency, high accuracy survey to be completed on demand by site based personnel. This provides quality assurance through all stages of the construction phases, as well as the final constructed wall, ensuring compliance to design. Combining Intelligent Machine Control with higher frequency quality assurance provides an increased level of certainty that the TSF construction is defect free and within quality specifications. These recent technological advancements in Construction and Quality Assurance ensure cell raises are constructed to the design intent with greater levels of accuracy and precision than ever before.

Jul 1, 2021

By D Carroll

Mining of the zinc, lead and silver deposit at the Broken Hill Southern Operations site has been occurring for over 100 years. As a result of this, a significant amount of high-grade ore is now taken from narrow remnant pillars left between old stopes and zones of previously mined ground. Stopes have been filled with either hydraulic fill (also known as ‘sandfill’), cemented hydraulic fill (cemented sandfill), waste rock backfill or a mixture of these fill types.In the last ten years, there has been considerable success mining through narrow pillars where sandfill is exposed in the development face and/or walls using a ‘shell’ support regime, wherein a layer of bolted mesh is sandwiched between two layers of sprayed fibrecrete (25 mm fibrecrete, then mesh and bolt, followed by a final 50 mm layer of fibrecrete). Shell support is also used in very poor, broken, relaxed ground conditions and in areas filled with cemented fill (sandfill with a minimum four per cent cement content).The next stage of innovation has been to develop a technique for mining through old stope voids filled with uncemented sandfill, known locally as ‘contours’ (old cut-and-fill working), an activity where unconsolidated sandfill can run at the face and from the backs. The challenge is to prevent exposed sandfill in the face and the backs from failing before it can be supported.To achieve this, the Southern Operations mine has implemented a technique in which 6 m long spiling bars are used to strengthen and stabilise the sandfill in front of the face. The hollow steel bars are driven in around the heading perimeter in a closely spaced pattern then pumped full of grout. The bars and the grout stabilise the sandfill in front of the face, preventing it from failing into the drive during excavation and prior to further support being installed.A final support system consisting of shotcrete, mesh, bolts and steel girders is installed as excavation progresses. Both the initial and final support systems are essentially passive support systems designed for a low-stress environment (as the stress originates mostly from the mass of unconsolidated sandfill).This process is slow and labour intensive. Fifteen separate cycles of people/machinery are needed to progress one equivalent heading cut (compared to six for a standard fibrecrete- and bolt pattern-supported rock face heading). This slow pace introduces scheduling challenges, but the process opens up parts of the orebody that were previously uneconomical to mine.CITATION:Carroll, D, 2014. Mining through sandfill using spiling bars, in Proceedings AusRock 2014: Third Australasian Ground Control in Mining Conference , pp 95–100 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 5, 2014

By A Chadwick, J de Ross, C Adams

Imagine a æshinyÆ new mine, $1 B in the bank and record commodity prices. So how does a company and its management team create enough tension to maximise profit and to establish a culture that can weather the good and bad times?That was exactly the situation the team at OZ MineralsÆ world class Prominent Hill mine in South Australia faced in 2009.Three years later, the harder times have come - lower though still healthy commodity prices, rising industry costs, fierce competition for talent, geological and technical issues (common to developing mines). However, the company was able to maximise profit during the good times and equip the culture to deal with the tougher times with minimal turnover.Through the combination of simple systems and processes, people development, application of commercial technical acumen and a combination of yin and yang leadership, OZ Minerals has achieved something quite rare - sustainable continuous improvement.The journey started with a vision. The EGM Operations created the æsparkÆ. The dream was to create a æfranchise mineÆ that could be rolled out to new mines and acquisitions as the company grew. However, the real leadership came from his lieutenants who provided the important yin and yang. The GM commercial provided the tools, processes, systems and the bottom line focus. The GM operations focused on culture, leadership, training and sustainability. This powerful combination (along with some good old persistence) was able to create the critical mass required to make continuous improvement go æviralÆ.This paper explores this unique case to uncover the essential ingredients that were created and mixed together. It will touch on the key human, technical and system elements that helped achieve significant improvements in plant recoveries, mine throughput and operational efficiencies, while overcoming human capacity, geotechnical and contractual challenges.CITATION:de Ross, J, Chadwick, A and Adams, C, 2012. How to create a perfect storm, in Proceedings International Mine Management 2012, pp 239-250 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 20, 2012

By Jackson E

The general level of awareness amongst members of the professions that they are faced with an increasing number of claims for breaches of their professional duty was dramatically heightened by the decision of Rogers J. at first instance in Cambridge Credit Corporation v Hutcheson (1985) 3 ACLR when the auditors of the failed company were found liable for breach of contract and faced a damages award of $145 million - well in excess of their insurance cover. No comfort should be found in the fact that this decision was overturned on appeal, for that result rested on the issue of whether there had been a causal connection between the breach of contract which had occurred and the loss suffered rather than on the fundamental principle of auditors' liability.

Jan 1, 1989

DCF Valuations are very important to individuals and companies involved in the mining industry. Such valuations are critical to investment decisions in relation to new and existing projects. In particular they provide fundamental information to shareholders in the event of a capital raising or takeover and to financiers supporting mining companies and projects. Also, DCF Valuations are often used to support asset carrying values in the financial statements of mining companies. This paper presents a Chartered Accountant's (CA's) perspective on the main issues to be considered in preparing, analysing and relying upon DCF methods in mineral valuations and provides some practical examples relating to key issues. The paper makes the important point that DCF methods involve making assumptions about future events and circumstances that inherently contain uncertainty which results in a valuation prepared on a DCF basis providing a range of values that are not perfect or accurate. In order that DCF valuations provide meaningful information the underlying methodology used and assumptions made must be consistent, sound and well supported. Credibility of those involved in preparing mineral valuations is vital and this paper supports the adoption of sound practices by all concerned.

Jan 1, 1994

By C Buchanan

For a long time there has been a known relationship between the northern Heavy Mineral (HM) deposits of the Murray Basin to the extensive north east trending ridges in the area. These ridges have been a targeting tool for exploration and have uncovered some significant discoveries, some of which have turned into mining projects. Bemax’s Ginkgo and Snapper deposits are good examples of how the faulting helped create an economic deposit but also result in significant planning issues in the exploitation of these deposits. Material balance, induration and pyrite issues have been made easier to manage through good geological understanding of the deposits.

Aug 22, 2011

By G J. I dos Santos

The risk assessment of mining projects is directly related to the possible failure in estimating, and as estimates are made from sampling results, this activity should be done in a judicious and planned manner, to avoid surprises at the start of project operation. Pierre Gy’s (1995) sampling theory addresses the issue of sample representativeness and indicates that only the certainty that the sampling procedure was performed with quality may result in samples being recognised as representative. To validate the representativeness of samples from sampling boreholes selected for studies of mineral processing, the team of geology resource assessment of VALE has proposed a methodology based on the use of statistical analysis tools, which in addition to considering the spatial distribution of these samples in deposit, considers whether they are representative of the populations studied, allowing the geologist to make a quick analysis of sample representativeness.

Jul 11, 2011

By Green GR

Description of two methods developed at Sulphide's Cockle Creek Plant as part of a site energy reduction program. The two case studies are:

Jan 1, 1985

By J MacDiarmid

Atlas Copco is a leading provider of industrial productivity solutions (Atlas Copco, 2007) and one of the worldÆs largest suppliers of rock drilling equipment. The business division of Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Technique is based in +rebro, Sweden with the majority of their equipment produced in a number of facilities within the area. As part of the 2006 AusIMM/Atlas Copco Scholarship I was fortunate enough to visit these facilities to experience first hand this truly unique global company. Through numerous presentations on the various divisions and products manufactured by the company, I saw the broad range of products and services offered by the company and came to realise it is much more than just selling drills. Other highlights included a brief love affair, a tour of EuropeÆs largest underground mine (or factory depending who you ask), a drink at the ice bar at the ice hotel in JukkasjSrvi, and a number of dinners of reindeer. Overall this it was a truly amazing experience with all involved with the program going out of their way to ensure I got the most out of the trip. More importantly, through no effort at all, everyone naturally conveyed their passion for the industry and the company which is a great credit to the æAtlas Copco WayÆ thereby creating a company æcommitted to your superior productivity through interaction and innovationÆ.

Jan 1, 2007

By Y V. Haarlem, P Coghill, N G. Cutmore, M Millen, I Carter

Due to the low concentration of gold, ore sorting for gold has always required measuring indirect properties, such as density or colour, to allow separation on a rock by rock basis. This only works on an ad hoc, by deposit basis and is likely to be least reliable where it is most required in low grade ores. One candidate technique, Gamma Activation Analysis (GAA) has been demonstrated to directly measure gold extremely accurately in powder samples of around 500gm and is used in the Chrysos PhotonAssay assay system. This method uses a linear accelerator (linac) to generate the X-ray radiation that activates the ore at low levels to emit a characteristic gold gamma ray that is then measured by a radiation detector. CSIRO is adapting this measurement technique to application on a belt at up to 800tph to measure pods of ore. The principal differences between measuring samples and an on-line measurement of pods are the requirement to measure coarse ore (<50mm), to measure a larger volume of ore as uniformly as possible, and to have an open-ended geometry with adequate shielding of the linac radiation source. These issues have all been addressed with measurements of coarse ore reported down to around 1ppm in sub-optimal test conditions. They have been demonstrated for <75mm particles with detectors capable of measuring a large volume geometry continuously. These are projected to allow measurements down to 0.3ppm in more optimum conditions for a 10 second measurement time period where the U/Th content of the ore is less than ~10ppm. Extensive Monte Carlo modelling has demonstrated that adequate shielding can be provided in relatively simple geometries with only 1 right angle transfer in the material handling. Steady progress is being made to reach the technical position required to trial an ore sorting system.

Nov 10, 2020

By W Mahoney, F Clement, E Saraiva

Prefabricated waterproofing sheet membranes are extremely complicated to install in underground sections with complex geometries and, despite being already subjected to quality tests in the factory, the installed membrane often exhibits leakages due to different reasons. Main sources of leaks are the required high amount of welding seams and damages caused during installation of reinforcement, as well as overstretching and poorly installed secondary concrete linings. Also the design of the tunnel lining is strongly influenced and limited by the use of prefabricated waterproofing sheet membranes. The use of sprayed waterproofing membranes for more than a decade has contributed to durability and serviceability, as well as to increasing sustainability of tunnel linings. The presented sprayed waterproofing membrane MasterSeal 345 is an advantageous alternative to prefabricated waterproofing sheet membranes under typical tunnelling conditions, especially in geometrically complex areas, such as in lay-by niches, cross passages and crossover caverns, where installation of conventional waterproofing membranes is inherently difficult, and locating leaks is challenging. This membrane has been successfully used in underground projects with different waterproofing design concepts and under diverse hydro-geological and environmental conditions for over a decade. It provides tunnel designers with different options and optimisation for the design of the tunnel concrete lining. Additional advantages to owners, contractors and designers from the use of the sprayed membrane include flexibility in the design, increased productivity and flexibility in working programming, as well as improved logistics, resulting in significant program and cost savings and reduced long-term maintenance costs. This paper describes the key features of this sprayed waterproofing membrane, its application range and limitations, the waterproofing concept, design options and related benefits. Further, guidance for membrane application and quality control and a summary of two recent project references in the United Kingdom and in Switzerland are provided.CITATION:Saraiva, E, Clement, F and Mahoney, W, 2014. The use of sprayable waterproofing membranes in underground structures – concept, design options, benefits and limitations, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014 , pp 323–332 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 17, 2014

Offshore petroleum development involves massive capital expenditure and financing demands, with the main participants being large international oil companies and State owned enterprises. Types of project oriented financing include take-or-pay contracts, throughput agreements, and production payment financing. The main project finance credit aspects are revenues, investment budgets and cost over- runs, reservoir, political and other risks and special problems such as weather and corrosion in the North Sea. A variety of documents is required and a mix of equity, export credit and Euro-market financing will typically be included in the financing.

Jan 1, 1983

By S Pontual

Compact and field portable infrared spectrometers have been increasingly used over the past few years by an exploration industry constantly searching for a technological edge and the ability to more accurately and rapidly assess project areas. In particular, this technology allows large amounts of data to be rapidly collected on-site and sample mineralogy, mineral crystallinity and mineral composition to be quickly assessed. In recent years, short wave infrared (SWIR) reflectance spectroscopy has proved useful in a wide range of geological environments and at various stages of exploration programs, from grass roots reconnaissance through drilling programs and resource evaluation. Unfortunately these data have frequently been analysed and interpreted in isolation using time consuming data analysis techniques removed from the realities of a fast moving exploration industry. This paper presents new analysis techniques which allow these data to be efficiently integrated in the exploration program. Although SWIR data contain a wealth of mineral information it is impractical to use this information in its raw form. A more effective approach involves the extraction of key characteristics of these data (ie mineralogy, mineral composition and crystallinity) as numerical values, and the integration of this ædigital mineralogyÆ with more conventional exploration datasets (eg geochemistry, coordinate data, etc). This paper demonstrates that the integrated analysis of sound geological observations, geochemical, spatial and spectral data can quickly lead to a greater understanding of the nature and distribution of target mineralisation. As a first step, software driven pattern matching routines enable the identification of the major clay mineral species in a series of samples (eg kaolinite, montmorillonite and sericite). This allows the major alteration facies and their spatial distribution to be identified. Quantification of diagnostic absorption feature characteristics then allows more accurate determinations of mineralogy to be made (eg mineral composition and crystallinity). Examples of the application of SWIR analysis for alteration mapping from selected porphyry and epithermal systems from around the Pacific Rim are discussed. The data presented are derived from a variety of locations and sample types including drill core, ridge and spur rock chip samples, soil samples and geochemical pulps. In these large alteration systems, the spectral data can be used to describe and map the distribution of various alteration facies as many of these are characterised by clay and phyllosilicate mineral assemblages and are detected by SWIR analysis (eg smectite, chlorite, biotite, illite, muscovite, kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite, alunite, etc). In addition, the ability to evaluate even subtle trends in mineral crystallinity and composition is often vital in these systems when looking for vectors towards higher temperature parts of the system. In addition to detailed evaluation of mineralogy, the integration of digital mineralogy data with geochemical data leads to the ability to describe not only geochemically anomalous intersections or regions but also to recognise associations between subtle changes in mineralogy and target mineralisation. This is often important because understanding these mineralogical associations can lead to more accurate targeting and rapid assessment of the project.

Jan 1, 1999

By AJ LYNCH

Broken Hill metallurgists have been responsible for some of the most important developments in mineral processing technology. These occurred mainly in two periods, 1902 - 15 and 1955 - 70. Mineral flotation was developed as an industrial process during the first period and this happened in two stages, the recovery of zinc minerals from the tailings dump accumulated during the gravity concentration of the oxidised ores and the selective recovery of galena and marmatite during flotation of the primary ores. During the second period fast accurate analytical procedures were developed to provide rapid assessment of process performance, and new means of controlling the process were devised which improved throughputs, grades and recoveries. These technological successes were due to the skills of the metallurgists and the commitment of the companies. They brought large financial returns. They were achieved under difficult circumstance. There are important lessons to be learnt from these successes.

Jan 1, 1992

Government established and financed the NZ Steel Investigating Co in 1960. Its investigations showed that a steel industry was feasible and desirable based uponNorth Island titanomagnetite ironsands, and charted a route for its establishment. The initial processing used post-1945 preheating and prereduction developments, but later innovative improvements created what was essentially a new New Zealand technology. Of the North Island titanomagnetite deposits: the small ones at Waipipi were best made available for export; those at Kawhia and Taharoa were too remote for the economic siting of a mill; that at Raglan proved too small; while at Waikato North Head three times the requirement of 50 million tons of concentrate were located in two sand areas averaging 18 per cent titanomagnetite. Economic studies showed that a South Auckland site would be ideal, close to New Zealand&apos;s biggest market. The mill site, on a basalt flow at Glenbrook, was located by a half-day&apos;s fieldwork - near both the Waikato North Head deposit, and a railhead for bringing in Waikato coal, etc, and taking out steel products. &nbsp; This development was one of several since World War II which altered significantly the lives and homes of New Zealanders (others were natural gas, oil, geothermal power, epithermal gold, aluminium, opencastable lignite, etc). All had the essential ingredients of the highest government backing, direct or indirect government finance, and first-class New Zealand scientific and engineering skills (eg to create new technologies). Not one such project failed.

Jan 1, 1993

By S Kakara, A Kamaraj, S S. Varanasi, B V. R Mandalika, M B. Shaik

The properties of top slags play a very important role in secondary steelmaking. Fluxes should be chosen based on the ladle furnace (LF) slag requirements like viscosity, melting temperature, sulfide capacity, etc. CaF2 and CaO-Al2O3-based synthetic slags are the most used fluxes in secondary steelmaking to improve slag fluidity and interfacial chemical reactions. CaF2 is obsolete due to fluorine pollution and CaO-Al2O3 based slags have 40–50 wt per cent Al2O3 and 30–40 per cent CaO which is not beneficial for desulfurisation. Yet another drawback is that LF slag disintegrates into fine powder during cooling due to phase transformation C2S (2CaO.SiO2). Hence, there is a need for the development of low melting fluxes with high CaO content and the capability to prevent slag disintegration. The current work studied the effect of 0–9 wt per cent B2O3 on physico-chemical properties and characterisation of LF slags. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were carried out to identify mineralogical phases present in slag and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis was done to understand the changes in bonds of B2O3 added LF slag. The characteristic temperature of slag was determined by a hemispherical method using high-temperature microscopy. Empirical models were used to calculate viscosity, break temperature, and sulfide capacity. FactSage™, ver 8.2 (by GTT-Technologies) simulations were carried out to find the equilibrium phase fractions and percentage of liquid slag at different temperatures. New phases such as Ca11B2Si4O22 and Ca2B3O5 were formed in LF slag with B2O3 addition. Based on the results, 0.5–1.0 wt per cent B2O3 was found to be sufficient to prevent C2S-driven disintegration of LF slag. Also, the melting temperature and viscosity of LF slag were reduced by adding 3–8 wt per cent B2O3 due to the formation of BO3 planar triangular structure and low melting eutectics in slag. Liquid slag started forming at a temperature as low as 800°C when B2O3 is >6 wt per cent. It was found that the sulfide capacity, viscosity, and break temperature of the slag decreased with increasing wt per cent B2O3. Based on the analysis carried out, B2O3 can be a promising fluxing material in secondary steelmaking, for improving the desulfurisation kinetics and valourisation potential of LF slag.

Aug 21, 2024

By J Borthwick, M Yusi, M Douge

Feasibility studies form a vital and significant component of the project delivery cycle. They are at the heart of the valuation process. This paper focuses on variables which can affect a project and how these are assessed as part of the decision-making process through feasibility studies. Test work and site selection needs; the degree of engineering required to meet the study requirements and the quality of owner project information are discussed. Also, local factors including permitting needs, social, environmental and government relations are considered. Engineering and site factors are crucial in the estimating process. The interaction of detailed engineering, engineering assumptions and estimating methodologies are therefore examined. The ownerÆs perspective is considered along with risk analysis, which is fundamental in project feasibility study activities. The impact of this is also discussed.

Jan 1, 2009

By Cox A

A key concern both in public perceptions of the environmental performance of the mining industry and in the development of policy relating to mining activities is the state in which the areas may be left at the completion of mining operations. There is, in effect, concern that the transient economic benefits of mining are enjoyed by the few, while the &apos;scars&apos; may remain for all. While the techniques of mine rehabilitation have improved rapidly in recent years, an important set of economic issues has generally been neglected.In this paper, the economic and policy aspects of mine rehabilitation are examined. The key issue addressed is how to determine when expenditure on rehabilitation should stop. The answer to such a question requires consideration of the full range of social, as well as private, costs and benefits of rehabilitation at a particular site. Clearly these costs and benefits will vary between sites. From both an economic and policy perspective it is important to establish whether the additional gain from more rehabilitation would exceed the additional cost.It is concluded in the paper that the technical feasibility alone does not justify a paeticular level of rehabilitation activity and expenditure. While more rehabilitation at a particular site may be technically feasible, the additional expenditure incurred in undertaking that rehabilitation may result in little extra benefit. This conclusion has important implications for government policy, particularly with respect to establishing the goals for rehabilitation, criteria for successful rehabilitation and enforcement of rehabilitation objectives.

Jan 1, 1992

By A Späth

Active explosion barriers are used to contain and suppress a methane gas and/or coal dust explosion propagation, including localised mine fires. Early research indicated that these active explosion barriers could be used on a mechanised cutting machine, making it the only technology that could suppress an explosion during its propagation phase at the cutting face. Thereby not only adding protection during mining operations but also reducing the development of toxic gases, fatal temperature increase and fatal overpressure build-up. During their evolution over the last two decades, further advantages of Active explosion barriers were proven in mine operations in countries such as South Africa and China. Characteristics such as effectivity, efficiency, mobility and space restrictions allow these systems to be used in various locations within a mine operation, including highwall operations. This improved technology contribution to safer coal mining was recognised by mine operators, workers and regulators. The Queensland’s Recognised Standard 21 (Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), 2021) stipulated active explosion barriers as a technology to ensure the safety within their underground coalmines. The mobility and flexible implementation of the active explosion barriers allow a feasible and practical solution for all critical locations for explosion and fire management in an underground coalmine. The conformance to the Recognised Standard can be achieved all underground coal mining operations such as Bord and Pillar, and Longwall mining. This paper describes the conformance, implementation and use of Active explosion barriers for Longwall mining and development as well as Bord and Pillar mining in Queensland’s underground coalmines.

Oct 12, 2022