Location

Rolla, Missouri

Session Dates

11 Jun 1999 - 17 Jun 1999

Keywords and Phrases

Mine; Fire; Escape; Egress; Virgin Rock Temperature (VRT)

Abstract

The fact that major fires are rare events in underground metal mines means there is often little on-site experience in dealing with these situations. Elaborate strategies that rely on a high degree of training at all levels to be effective are likely to fail, especially with the trend in Australia towards smaller mines and "fly in-fly out" operations. A robust strategy is required. The key items in such a strategy are: early detection and warning of personnel, personal belt-worn oxygen-generating self-rescuers, high integrity escape routes and self-contained refuge stations, simple procedures, reliable personnel ''tagging" systems and sufficient, trained, search and rescue and fire fighting personnel and equipment.

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

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Jun 11th, 12:00 AM Jun 17th, 12:00 AM

An Integrated Strategy for Emergency Egress from an Underground Metal Mine

Rolla, Missouri

The fact that major fires are rare events in underground metal mines means there is often little on-site experience in dealing with these situations. Elaborate strategies that rely on a high degree of training at all levels to be effective are likely to fail, especially with the trend in Australia towards smaller mines and "fly in-fly out" operations. A robust strategy is required. The key items in such a strategy are: early detection and warning of personnel, personal belt-worn oxygen-generating self-rescuers, high integrity escape routes and self-contained refuge stations, simple procedures, reliable personnel ''tagging" systems and sufficient, trained, search and rescue and fire fighting personnel and equipment.