Non-coal Mine Research Articles

A Framework of a 3D DCPCS Based on UWB Positioning in Underground Mining

The real-time positioning and information feedback of the underground workers and equipment play a key role to achieve the safety digital mine because of the complex work scenario of non-coal mining in China, especially the injuries and collisions caused by the alternate operation between operators and vehicle equipment in underground mining. There are relevant requirements in the safety hazard called “six systems” which includes the personnel positioning, communication links, monitoring and controls, but the results are not prominent after investment and construction for its ambiguous definition of the scope of the standard and reasonable defects. This paper aims to study the application of Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) in underground personnel positioning, by comparing and analyzing traditional underground positioning technology. Combined with 3D scanning three-dimensional modeling technology, the UWB signal can also be used to construct 3D digital interactive underground map to enhance the accuracy of positioning information and the intuitiveness of monitoring perspective in control center. The framework of a 3D dynamic comprehensive prevention and control system (hereinafter referred to as 3D-DCPCS) based on UWB positioning in non-coal mining is proposed, depending on the supports of these technologies. Among them, UWB is a non-carrier communication technology. Its signal has strong anti-jamming performance and high transmission rate, which can improve the accuracy of real-time underground positioning. And the interactive 3D modeling technology is a new type of media, which can enhance the user's sense of reality through the transformation of pilot and perspective view. This framework of 3D-DCPCS is designed to have some specific modules, including user identity management module, underground three-dimensional map module, 3D interactive monitoring window module, underground risk assessment module, anti-collision module of personnel and vehicle, safety information statistical management module and other functional modules. This system can achieve the functions of different users' identity role management, underground safety risk identification and grade assessment, map of underground risk area, precise positioning and dynamic control of underground operators’ vehicles, remote control and communication of underground equipment and personnel and 3D dynamic monitoring of underground operation scenarios. Meanwhile, these functions can be targeted to update through a period of security information statistical feedback. The system can be applied to comprehensive prevention and control monitoring of correlative complicated operating environment, by relating to the mentioned framework and specific situation of non-coal mine. It would be of practical values to improve the safety of underground personnel, standard safe operation of mechanical equipment and man-machine orderly cooperation in underground non-coal mine if it would be built and put into application.

Fully Mechanized Longwall Mining in an Underground Bauxite Deposit: A Case Study

Based on the boundary surfaces of bauxite deposit modelled by the two-dimensional biharmonic spline interpolation, it was ascertained that the fully mechanized longwall mining of bauxite is feasible in terms of lithological characteristics, orebed occurrence, physical–mechanical properties of ore–rock, faults, Karst caves, permeable fissures, etc. Furthermore, a comprehensive target function consisting of waste-rock interfused ratio and ore loss ratio was used to obtain the optimal cutting height of shearer by a virtual mining procedure that was proposed to numerically perform the fully mechanized longwall mining. For the 1102 longwall mining panel in Wachangping Bauxite Mine, the optimal cutting height of shearer ranges from 1.16 to 2.32 m supplied from two 1.16-m-diameter cutting drums, which meets the requirement of low-waste and high-recovery mining to achieve high-grade and low-loss exploitations of underground bauxite. These efforts can improve the application and popularization of fully mechanized longwall mining in non-coal underground mines.

The Development of Subsidence Hazard Index for an Abandoned Mine Using Artificial Neural Network and Interaction Matrix

A MSH(Mine Subsidence Hazard) index has been developed to estimate the subsidence possibility of an abandoned mine by means of an artificial neural network (ANN) and an interaction matrix. For this, 19 influence factors of mine subsidence were determined through a literature study, and the influence factors for 287 subsidence points at 38 abandoned mines were selected first, of which 108 points (34 abandoned mines) having high data quality were used for learning of ANN. Each influence factor of which range is widely distributed was classified into seven ranges to use it as a learning data of ANN. Interaction matrixes were constructed by an ANN analysis, and a MSH index for each subsidence point was calculated from influence factors as well as influence weights that are from the interaction matrix. The result shows that MSH index ranges between 37 and 66. The average of MSH index for Non-coal mines is 54, which is 13% higher than the one for coal mines of which average MSH index is 47.

An investigation of prevalence of occupational diseases and treatment implementation in migrant workers in Hunan, China

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of occupational diseases and treatment implementation in migrant workers in Hunan, China, and to provide a scientific basis for related departments to develop preventive and treatment measures and social security system for migrant workers. Methods: A retrospective investigation was performed in 2015 to collect the information of occupational diseases in migrant workers, and age, type of work, type of occupational disease, and implementation of employment injury insurance for occupation diseases were analyzed. Results: The migrant workers with occupational diseases accounted for 50.43% (11 280/22 368) of all patients with occupational diseases in Hunan, among whom 99.4% (11 212/11 280) were male workers. The mean age of migrant workers with occupational diseases was 55 years. The types of occupational diseases involved 6 categories such as occupational pneumoconiosis and occupational skin diseases, totaling 42 legal occupational diseases; 98.31% of all migrant workers (11 089/11 280) had occupational pneumoconiosis. The main types of work were underground coal miners (62.42%) , heading drivers (29.79%) , and haulage workers (2.20%) in coal mines and non-coal mines. A total of 27.25% migrant workers with occupational diseases (2 072/7 605) enjoyed employment injury insurance, and 20.84% (1 585/7 605) did not receive any medical or life compensations. Conclusion: The occupational diseases in migrant workers in Hunan are mainly pneumoconiosis, and a large proportion of those with occupational diseases do not enjoy implementation of treatment. Coal mines and non-coal mines are the high-risk areas for occupational diseases in migrant workers and should be the focus of prevention and control.

Conversion of coal mine drainage ochre to water treatment reagent: Production, characterisation and application for P and Zn removal

Coal mine drainage ochre is a ferruginous precipitate that forms from mine water in impacted watercourses and during treatment. With thousands of tonnes per annum of such ochre arising from mine water treatment in the UK alone, management of these wastes is a substantive issue. This paper demonstrates that the ochre from both active and passive treatment of coal mine drainage can be transformed into an effective water treatment reagent by simple acid dissolution and that the reagent can be used for the removal of dissolved phosphorous from municipal wastewater and zinc from non-coal mine waters. Ochre is readily soluble in H2SO4 and HCl. Ochre is more soluble in HCl with solubilities of up to 100 g/L in 20% (w/w) HCl and 68 g/L in 10% (w/w) H2SO4. For four of the eight tested ochres solubility decreased in higher concentrations of H2SO4. Ochre compositional data demonstrate that the coal mine ochres tested are relatively free from problematic levels of elements seen by other authors from acid mine drainage-derived ochre. Comparison to British Standards for use of iron-based coagulants in drinking water treatment was used as an indicator of the acceptability of use of the ochre-derived reagents in terms of potentially problematic elements. The ochre-derived reagents were found to meet the ‘Grade 3’ specification, except for arsenic. Thus, for application in municipal wastewater and mine water treatment additional processing may not be required. There was little observed compositional difference between solutions prepared using H2SO4 or HCl. Ochre-derived reagents showed applicability for the removal of P and Zn with removals of up to 99% and 97% respectively measured for final pH 7–8, likely due to sorption/coprecipitation. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that applying a Fe dose in the form of liquid reagent leads to a better Fe:P and Fe:Zn removal ratio compared to ochre-based sorption media tested in the literature.

The Gray Relation Analysis of Non-Coal Mine Accidents Causation

The Gray Relation Analysis is applied to the casualty analysis of non-coal mine accident in four certain years in China to export grey relational order to determine the main related factors in the non-coal mine accident, obtaining quantitative analysis results of the relationship between non-coal mine accident and multiple factors, introducing the concept of mine accident risk correlation degree.

Quantifying silica in filter-deposited mine dusts using infrared spectra and partial least squares regression.

The feasibility of measuring airborne crystalline silica (α-quartz) in noncoal mine dusts using a direct-on-filter method of analysis is demonstrated. Respirable α-quartz was quantified by applying a partial least squares (PLS) regression to the infrared transmission spectra of mine-dust samples deposited on porous polymeric filters. This direct-on-filter method deviates from the current regulatory determination of respirable α-quartz by refraining from ashing the sampling filter and redepositing the analyte prior to quantification using either infrared spectrometry for coal mines or x-ray diffraction (XRD) from noncoal mines. Since XRD is not field portable, this study evaluated the efficacy of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry for silica determination in noncoal mine dusts. PLS regressions were performed using select regions of the spectra from nonashed samples with important wavenumbers selected using a novel modification to the Monte Carlo unimportant variable elimination procedure. Wavenumber selection helped to improve PLS prediction, reduce the number of required PLS factors, and identify additional silica bands distinct from those currently used in regulatory enforcement. PLS regression appeared robust against the influence of residual filter and extraneous mineral absorptions while outperforming ordinary least squares calibration. These results support the quantification of respirable silica in noncoal mines using field-portable infrared spectrometers.

Evaluation of Non-Coal Mines Safety Emergency Capacity Based on Unascertained Measurement Model

Based on the uncertainty measurement theory, considering evaluation indexes of monitoring, personnel positioning, emergency actions, compressed air self-help, water rescue and communication, a mining emergency combat capability evaluation model is built to solve the difficulty of non-coal mine safety evaluation. This model is proposed to many uncertainty factors of safety evaluation of non-coal mine, according to the actual situation, carries on quantitative analysis, calculates indexes’weight, conducts grade decision by confidence identification criteria, then derives results of non-coal mine safety evaluation. This method is used to evaluate a certain six systems of non-coal mine. Compared with expert appraisal conclusion, the result shows consistency, therefore uncertainty measurement model is reasonable.

Tracer gas applications in mining and implications for improved ventilation characterisation

Tracer gases have been an invaluable tool for analysis of airflow, especially in the mining industry as they are powerful techniques for evaluating many aspects of the ventilation system. This article highlights applications of tracer gases in coal and non-coal mines, in addition to the developing technology and the future role of tracer gases as a tool for ventilation analysis. Depending on the application, there are many characteristics that aid in the selection of an appropriate tracer gas. Other important considerations in tracer gas studies involve releasing and sampling techniques as well as methods of analysis. In addition to current sampling techniques, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is introduced as a potential alternative sampling method for underground tracer gas applications.

Toward Developing a New Occupational Exposure Metric Approach for Characterization of Diesel Aerosols.

The extensive use of diesel-powered equipment in mines makes the exposure to diesel aerosols a serious occupational issue. The exposure metric currently used in U.S. underground noncoal mines is based on the measurement of total carbon (TC) and elemental carbon (EC) mass concentration in the air. Recent toxicological evidence suggests that the measurement of mass concentration is not sufficient to correlate ultrafine aerosol exposure with health effects. This urges the evaluation of alternative measurements. In this study, the current exposure metric and two additional metrics, the surface area and the total number concentration, were evaluated by conducting simultaneous measurements of diesel ultrafine aerosols in a laboratory setting. The results showed that the surface area and total number concentration of the particles per unit of mass varied substantially with the engine operating condition. The specific surface area (SSA) and specific number concentration (SNC) normalized with TC varied two and five times, respectively. This implies that miners, whose exposure is measured only as TC, might be exposed to an unknown variable number concentration of diesel particles and commensurate particle surface area. Taken separately, mass, surface area, and number concentration did not completely characterize the aerosols. A comprehensive assessment of diesel aerosol exposure should include all of these elements, but the use of laboratory instruments in underground mines is generally impracticable. The article proposes a new approach to solve this problem. Using SSA and SNC calculated from field-type measurements, the evaluation of additional physical properties can be obtained by using the proposed approach.

Research of Optimization Scheduling Technology in Environment Emergency Resources Based on GIS

For the actual problem of mine emergency rescue with multi-depot and multi-resource deployment, the article proposed a double constraints resources deployment model based on "shortest travel time" and "minimizing the number of rescuing points", with the use of geographic information system (GIS), making mine emergency rescue optimization scheduling technology more visual and intuitive. Finally, an example illustrates that the model optimized the resource allocation scheme, minimized the numbers of rescuing points, and was successfully applied on the platform of "Non-Coal Mine Emergency Rescue and Control"

Safety Entropy Research of Working Environment Parameters in Plateau Non-coal Underground Mine

Working environment in plateau non-coal underground mine was considered to be an open safety system. Maintenance and evolution of dissipative structure in ventilation system was used as the theoretical basis of operation mechanism for safety system. the safety entropy of underground environment system was researched then the model based on human-environment parameter was established. Through the case study of a plateau non-coal underground mine, in which the safety entropy values were determined by AHP comprehensive evaluation on environment system, the safety grade of working environment was obtained. Safety status of entire system and various parameters were overall considered in the method, by which the theoretical basis of system optimization and increased oxygen technique for plateau non-coal underground mine would also been provided.

Study on Ventilators Monitoring and Early Fault Warning System in Non-Coal Mines

In view of the approaches of non-coal mines ventilation and the characters of ventilators arrangement, a ventilators monitoring and early fault warning system was developed by using the advanced embedded computer and sensors technologies. The system has successfully realized the real-time monitoring of the performance parameters, the power supply parameters and the environment parameters in ventilators running period. And it carried on the common faults early warning through the professional software system to analyze ventilators operating characters. The system has been applied in Hedong Goldmine.

Inventory of aquatic contaminant flux arising from historical metal mining in England and Wales

The impact of discharges from abandoned metal and ironstone mines has been a much studied form of aquatic pollution in recent decades. Few attempts however, have been made to accurately determine the overall contaminant mass flux arising from abandoned mine sites at scales above catchment level. Such assessments are critical to determine the significance of former mining to national, regional and ultimately global trace metal flux. This paper presents the most comprehensive national survey to date across England and Wales of the total pollution burden discharged at source from abandoned non-coal mine sites. 338 discharges have been identified (from 4923 known abandoned metal mines) and while concurrent flow and contaminant concentration records are only available for around 30% of these, significant quantities of metals (and As) have been quantified to be discharged. A minimum of 193 tonnes of Zn, 18.5 tonnes of Pb, 0.64 tonnes Cd, 19.1 tonnes of Cu, 551 tonnes Fe, 72 tonnes Mn and 5.1 tonnes As are released in water discharges from abandoned non-coal mines to the surface water environment of England and Wales each year. Precautionary extrapolation of mass fluxes based on the frequency distribution of measured concentration and flow data, for discharges with absent data, suggests that the actual total mass flux for these contaminants could be up to 41% higher. The mass flux of Pb released from mines exceeds that of all currently permitted discharges (e.g. active industrial sites and wastewater treatment works) to surface waters across England and Wales, while those of As, Cd and Zn are of a similar magnitude. These data put into context the enduring legacy of historic mining on the water environment, highlighting its significance relative to more highly regulated polluting sites. Comparison of the figures with estimates of global trace metal flux suggests that the national total identified here is significant on a global scale.

A national strategy for identification, prioritisation and management of pollution from abandoned non-coal mine sites in England and Wales. I.: Methodology development and initial results

In regions affected by historic non-coal (principally metal) mining activity, government agencies are often faced with the challenge of deploying limited remedial resources at abandoned mine sites to achieve maximum improvements in the chemical and ecological quality of impacted ground and surface waters. As such, strategies for the defensible allocation of public funds require comprehensive and systematic frameworks by which to identify and prioritise polluting sites for remediation. This paper describes the development and initial findings of such a national initiative in England and Wales which allies catchment-scale environmental impact assessments using existing public archive data, with recognition of the uncertainty in impact appraisals arising from disparities in data availability between sites and regions. The methodology identifies polluting sites and takes account not only of the chemical and ecological impacts of mine water discharges on receiving watercourses, but also of socio-economic factors such as conservation and heritage concerns, which can both impede or complement efforts to remediate mine sites. Using a Geographic Information System database and a suite of spatial analyses employing Boolean operators, both the extent of the pollution problem from abandoned non-coal mines in England and Wales (6% of 7815 surface water bodies are affected nationally) and the insight that can be gleaned from systematic analyses of existing archive data are highlighted. The results of the nationwide survey can be used as a dynamic database to inform future remedial planning, in terms of prioritising impacted river basins and abandoned non-coal mine sites themselves for either remediation or future monitoring efforts. As the assessment framework is built upon existing water quality and ecological data and mine site/geological data, there is considerable scope for the approach to be applied elsewhere where the legacy of historic mining persists through the widespread pollution of the aquatic environment.

English

In the late 1980s, two coal gasification concepts were tested at a 15- acre site in the Hanna Basin of south-central Wyoming. Both tests were conducted in the Hanna No. 1 Coal Seam, which is about 30 feet thick and 365 feet below surface at this site. Approximately 4500 tons and 11,300 tons of coal were burned in the two tests, respectively. The Land Quality Division (LQD) of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) issued Research and Development License No. 15 (RD15) to Stearns Catalytic Corporation (now Washington Group International, Inc.) for the tests. Per the license requirements, ground water restoration and surface reclamation were necessary after the tests. Because of the efficiency of the burns and the effectiveness of venting and flushing the burn cavities after each test, ground water restoration was completed in 1989. Once ground water restoration was deemed complete, the 30+ wells were abandoned and surface reclamation began. The reported seed mix included Wheatgrass (western, thickspike, and slender), Indian Ricegrass, Fourwing Saltbush, and Big Sagebrush. In addition, Big Sagebrush seedlings were also planted. Surface reclamation was completed in 1993, with limited repair work (primarily weed control) in subsequent years. The LQD released the reclamation bond and terminated the license in late 2005. Even though this site was tiny in comparison with most in situ noncoal mines and traditional coal mines, it provides a microcosm of reclamation issues, including: drought impacts; selection of areas for evaluation of reclaimed vegetation; and comparison of species planted with species expressed. It also provides information specific to reclamation issues at in situ mining projects, such as extent of ground water contamination, measurement of revegetation success at sites with multiple, relatively small areas of disturbance, and soil sampling for water treatment impacts. The site was one of the first evaluated for bond release under Category 5 of the LQD Coal Rules.

Mine Inspection Data Analysis System

Abstract In 1980, the U.S. Bureau of Mines developed the Mine Inspection Data Analysis System. It is a computerized industrial hygiene database capable of statistically analyzing Mine Safety and Health Administration compliance data collected in coal and noncoal mines and mills. Data are collected by inspectors and mine operators, and are provided to the Bureau annually on magnetic tape. The Bureau extracts, merges, and edits these data to reduce storage requirements and to facilitate analysis. Selected data are stored in ASCII format and are analyzed using a 486/DX4–100 personal computer. The database contains approximately 1.5 million records of respirable coal mine dust samples collected since 1981, and about 45,000 records of respirable coal mine dust samples analyzed for quartz. Another 6 million records of respirable coal mine dust samples dating from 1970 are archived on magnetic tape. The database also contains records of approximately 750,000 personal and area samples collected at metal and nonmetal mines and mills from 1974 through 1992. These samples were collected to determine the concentration of about 130 different substances and noise in noncoal mines and mills. In addition, there are approximately 4000 records of samples collected from 1976 through 1978 for a variety of contaminants at 22 underground non-coal mines using diesel-powered equipment. Analyses of data have shown which commodities, locations, and job categories have the highest exposures. These analyses have assisted the Bureau in planning, prioritizing, and conducting industrial hygiene research activities at surface and underground mines and mills. They have also been used by the Mine Safety and Health Administration to assess the potential impact of proposed changes in occupational health standards and to evaluate compliance sampling strategies. The objectives of this report are to describe the database and software, and to provide examples of how the database has been used to evaluate exposure to respirable dust containing at least 1 percent quartz in metal and non-metal mines and mills. Watts, Jr., W.F.; Parker, D.R.: Mine Inspection Data Analysis System. Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 10(4):323–330; 1995.

Estimates of Dose from Radon Daughters in UK Mines

Radon concentrations in many non-coal and private sector coal mines were measured with passive radon monitors in a cooperative exercise between the National Radiological Protection Board and the Mines Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive. Radon daughter concentrations were measured in deep coal mines by British Coal. The results presented show that, in the mines surveyed, statutory regulations require supervision or control of doses in about one-third of the non-coal mines and almost one-tenth of the private sector coal mines and in virtually no deep coal mines. Average annual doses in the three groups of mines are estimated at 14 mSv, 5 mSv and 0.95 mSv respectively; the average for all UK miners is 1.3 mSv. Progress with the supervision and control of doses is described, and information presented on large reductions in concentrations achieved by the straightforward application of good ventilation principles.

Estimates of Dose from Radon Daughters in UK Mines

Radon concentrations in many non-coal and private sector coal mines were measured with passive radon monitors in a cooperative exercise between the National Radiological Protection Board and the Mines Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive. Radon daughter concentrations were measured in deep coal mines by British Coal. The results presented show that, in the mines surveyed, statutory regulations require supervision or control of doses in about one-third of the non-coal mines and almost one-tenth of the private sector coal mines and in virtually no deep coal mines. Average annual doses in the three groups of mines are estimated at 14 mSv, 5 mSv and 0.95 mSv respectively; the average for all UK miners is 1.3 mSv. Progress with the supervision and control of doses is described, and information presented on large reductions in concentrations achieved by the straightforward application of good ventilation principles.

The incidence and progression of pneumoconiosis over nine years in U.S. coal miners: II. Relationship with dust exposure and other potential causative factors.

Examination of the incidence and progression of pneumoconiosis over 9 years in 1,261 nationally distributed U.S. coal miners has been undertaken in relationship to potential causative factors. Use has been made of a large body of data on dust levels collected by the Mine Safety and Health Administration principally for compliance purposes. Reported dust levels were low and generally under the current 2 mg/m3 standard. No link between dust level and disease progression could be detected. Some evidence was seen that radiological change was related to dust exposures prior to the study in both coal and noncoal mines, and thus experienced before the current dust standards were mandated. Neither migration of miners nor mining method appeared to be associated with disease incidence or progression. None of these findings can be taken as final, as the period of study is short and the number of cases of pneumoconiosis few. Further study is under way to obtain more reliable information over a longer period of follow-up.