Location
Rolla, Missouri
Session Dates
11 Jun 1999 - 17 Jun 1999
Keywords and Phrases
Coal; Dust; Underground; Explosions; Risk; Protective; Preventative; Management
Abstract
The management of explosions in the underground mining environment has been a high priority for managers since the turn of the century. In the early 1900s explosions, worldwide, reached catastrophic dimensions. In a number of large explosions more than 1000 people have died. In the early years of research, the basics of why explosions occurred were investigated and the participation of coal dust in underground coal mine explosions was proved. Taffanel, a French researcher, was one of the pioneers in establishing the use of stone dust and was instrumental in the design and development of the first stone-dust barriers. Throughout the century, research on explosions has continued in different parts of the world. Since explosions still occur in underground coal mines, as recent events in the Ukraine have illustrated, a certain problem area still exists. This area can be regarded as managerial. This paper gives an overview of the progress made by management in implementing explosion-prevention strategies and presents a new approach to explosion management in terms of an explosion management model, based on sound risk management principles. These principles allow the manager to close the loop in normal explosion management by focusing on all aspects of risk. Including auditing and monitoring to adequately address and manage the residual risk.
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
du Plessis, Jan J. L. and Oberholzer, J. W., "Management of Mine Explosion Risks" (1999). U.S. Mine Ventilation Symposium. 1.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/usmvs/8usmvs/8usmvs-theme11/1
Management of Mine Explosion Risks
Rolla, Missouri
The management of explosions in the underground mining environment has been a high priority for managers since the turn of the century. In the early 1900s explosions, worldwide, reached catastrophic dimensions. In a number of large explosions more than 1000 people have died. In the early years of research, the basics of why explosions occurred were investigated and the participation of coal dust in underground coal mine explosions was proved. Taffanel, a French researcher, was one of the pioneers in establishing the use of stone dust and was instrumental in the design and development of the first stone-dust barriers. Throughout the century, research on explosions has continued in different parts of the world. Since explosions still occur in underground coal mines, as recent events in the Ukraine have illustrated, a certain problem area still exists. This area can be regarded as managerial. This paper gives an overview of the progress made by management in implementing explosion-prevention strategies and presents a new approach to explosion management in terms of an explosion management model, based on sound risk management principles. These principles allow the manager to close the loop in normal explosion management by focusing on all aspects of risk. Including auditing and monitoring to adequately address and manage the residual risk.
