Location
Rolla, Missouri
Session Dates
11 Jun 1999 - 17 Jun 1999
Keywords and Phrases
Ventilation Design; Ventilation Automation; Ventilation Control; Pollutant Monitoring; Airflow Monitoring
Abstract
Common to many established mines in Canada, is the problem that their ventilation systems are continually being stretched to meet new needs that were not anticipated in the original design. This can be the result of a variety of different factors, such as the discovery of new reserves at depth, accelerated production, new worker exposure regulations or a change of mining method. At Bousquet, the ventilation of a new multilevel mining block over 1 km away from the existing bottom of the mine presents a challenge. The airflow available for this region is limited to 57 m3/s by the size of a ventilation drift and raise, and by the total volume the mine can supply. This volume is sufficient only if it can be directed to the desired locations, namely where the diesel equipment is operating and with minimal losses (<10%). Due to the mobile nature of the mining equipment and changing production areas, such tight management of air can only be achieved with "Ventilation on Demand". This paper describes a pilot trial, within the existing mine, of an automated demand based ventilation management system. Vehicle tracking and identification determine ventilation demand, location and duration. Specific air volumes are achieved with remote controlled regulators, and auxiliary fan systems and verified with airflow monitors. Air quality is monitored with gas sensors. Based upon this trial the mine will be able to determine the viability of an air quality driven system over an engine based air quantity dictated system. This would then, with the approval of the local regulators, allow the mine to operate its ventilation more efficiently and gain the maximum benefit of cleanengine technology and exhaust treatment devices.
Department(s)
Mining Engineering
Meeting Name
8th U.S. Mine Ventilation Symposium
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Document Version
Final Version
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
File Type
text
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Hardcastle, Stephen G.; Gangal, M. K.; Schreer, Manfred; and Gauthier, Paul, "Ventilation-on-Demand: Quantity or Quality — A Pilot Trial at Barrick Gold's Bousquet Mine" (1999). U.S. Mine Ventilation Symposium. 6.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/usmvs/8usmvs/8usmvs-theme1/6
Ventilation-on-Demand: Quantity or Quality — A Pilot Trial at Barrick Gold's Bousquet Mine
Rolla, Missouri
Common to many established mines in Canada, is the problem that their ventilation systems are continually being stretched to meet new needs that were not anticipated in the original design. This can be the result of a variety of different factors, such as the discovery of new reserves at depth, accelerated production, new worker exposure regulations or a change of mining method. At Bousquet, the ventilation of a new multilevel mining block over 1 km away from the existing bottom of the mine presents a challenge. The airflow available for this region is limited to 57 m3/s by the size of a ventilation drift and raise, and by the total volume the mine can supply. This volume is sufficient only if it can be directed to the desired locations, namely where the diesel equipment is operating and with minimal losses (<10%). Due to the mobile nature of the mining equipment and changing production areas, such tight management of air can only be achieved with "Ventilation on Demand". This paper describes a pilot trial, within the existing mine, of an automated demand based ventilation management system. Vehicle tracking and identification determine ventilation demand, location and duration. Specific air volumes are achieved with remote controlled regulators, and auxiliary fan systems and verified with airflow monitors. Air quality is monitored with gas sensors. Based upon this trial the mine will be able to determine the viability of an air quality driven system over an engine based air quantity dictated system. This would then, with the approval of the local regulators, allow the mine to operate its ventilation more efficiently and gain the maximum benefit of cleanengine technology and exhaust treatment devices.
