Mine Emergency Preparedness Training Mine Recovery

Introduction The main objective of recovery work is to put the mine or affected area of the mine back in operation as soon as conditions permit after a mine disaster.

Assessing Conditions Initial assessment of underground conditions.Initial assessment of underground conditions. How much rehabilitation work is needed to recover the affected area.How much rehabilitation work is needed to recover the affected area. The extent of damage to the ventilation system.The extent of damage to the ventilation system. Checking gas conditions and roof and rib conditions.Checking gas conditions and roof and rib conditions. Checking the condition of track, waterlines, power lines, and phone lines.Checking the condition of track, waterlines, power lines, and phone lines. Initial assessment of underground conditions.Initial assessment of underground conditions. How much rehabilitation work is needed to recover the affected area.How much rehabilitation work is needed to recover the affected area. The extent of damage to the ventilation system.The extent of damage to the ventilation system. Checking gas conditions and roof and rib conditions.Checking gas conditions and roof and rib conditions. Checking the condition of track, waterlines, power lines, and phone lines.Checking the condition of track, waterlines, power lines, and phone lines.

Re-establishing ventilation after a fire or explosion Reestablishing ventilation and bring fresh air to an area damaged by fire or explosion.Reestablishing ventilation and bring fresh air to an area damaged by fire or explosion. Note: no ventilation changes should be made without the consent of the Command Center.Note: no ventilation changes should be made without the consent of the Command Center. Reestablishing ventilation and bring fresh air to an area damaged by fire or explosion.Reestablishing ventilation and bring fresh air to an area damaged by fire or explosion. Note: no ventilation changes should be made without the consent of the Command Center.Note: no ventilation changes should be made without the consent of the Command Center.

Unsealing a fire area –Planning –Step-by-step plan. –Communications –Records –Planning –Step-by-step plan. –Communications –Records

When to unseal The extent and intensity of the fire at the time of sealing; The characteristics of the burning material and the surrounding strata; The tightness of the seals; The effect of barometric pressure on the enclosed area; The effect of temperature on the enclosed area; The location of the fire area with respect to ventilation; The gas conditions as indicated by analysis of air samples taken behind the seals. Usually the gases analyzed oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

Preconditions for opening a sealed fire area Oxygen content behind seal low enough to make an explosion impossible Carbon monoxide not present behind seal. Area behind seal has had sufficient cooling time.

Preparations for opening a sealed fire area Adjust ventilation so toxic/explosive gases released from the sealed area are directed into main returns. An observer should be stationed at the main fan(s) to warn the rescue team of any fan malfunctions. An observer should be stationed in the main returns to monitor gas levels. Cut off all electrical power. Rock dust all entries and crosscuts leading to and from the sealed area. Withdraw all unnecessary people from the mine.

Methods of Unsealing Fire Areas There two basic methods that can we used for unsealing a fire area: progressive ventilation and direct ventilation. Progressive ventilation is the reventilation of a sealed area in successive blocks by means of air locks. Direct ventilation is the reventilation of the entire sealed area at once. There two basic methods that can we used for unsealing a fire area: progressive ventilation and direct ventilation. Progressive ventilation is the reventilation of a sealed area in successive blocks by means of air locks. Direct ventilation is the reventilation of the entire sealed area at once.

Recovery by By Progressive Ventilation Air locking operations should never be undertaken until the oxygen content of the air behind the seals has been reduced to at least two Percent. The first step in progressive ventilation is to build a stopping at one of the seals on the intake side of the fire area to create an air lock. The distance between air locks is usually between 200 and 500 feet. It depends on the conditions encountered and the amount of construction work that is needed to prepare an area for re-ventilation Air locking operations should never be undertaken until the oxygen content of the air behind the seals has been reduced to at least two Percent. The first step in progressive ventilation is to build a stopping at one of the seals on the intake side of the fire area to create an air lock. The distance between air locks is usually between 200 and 500 feet. It depends on the conditions encountered and the amount of construction work that is needed to prepare an area for re-ventilation

Air Lock An air lock is made by building two stoppings 10 to 15 feet apart. Each stopping should have a door or flap in it so that teams can enter and exit the sealed area. One opening in an air lock must be closed while the other is open to prevent mixing of the two atmospheres. An air lock is made by building two stoppings 10 to 15 feet apart. Each stopping should have a door or flap in it so that teams can enter and exit the sealed area. One opening in an air lock must be closed while the other is open to prevent mixing of the two atmospheres.

Entering Sealed Area

AIR LOCK Air Flow Stopping opened for return air Fire

AIR LOCK Air Flow Stopping opened Reventilation of area Remainder of Stoppings Opened Fire AIR LOCK

Recovery by Direct Ventilation The affected area is recovered and re- ventilated as a whole rather than by successive blocks. As a result, recovery is accomplished more quickly than with progressive ventilation, but gas conditions are less controlled. Before using direct ventilation, there should be conclusive evidence that the fire has been extinguished.

Exhausting fans should be made to prevent the buildup of explosive gases and smoke in the fan house. Preventing a Buildup of Gases and Smoke in the Fan House

Reventilation After an Explosion Areas of Concern: The concentrations of explosive gases. Are they below, within, or above the explosive ranges. The percent of oxygen present. Will it support life? Is it low enough to prevent another explosion? Are possible sources of ignition being considered and eliminated-electrical power, battery-powered equipment, possible fires and hot spots, sparks from tools and team equipment. While exploring and preparing an area for re- ventilation, teams should be on the alert for and eliminate any possible sources of ignition. Areas of Concern: The concentrations of explosive gases. Are they below, within, or above the explosive ranges. The percent of oxygen present. Will it support life? Is it low enough to prevent another explosion? Are possible sources of ignition being considered and eliminated-electrical power, battery-powered equipment, possible fires and hot spots, sparks from tools and team equipment. While exploring and preparing an area for re- ventilation, teams should be on the alert for and eliminate any possible sources of ignition.

Monitoring During reventilation work, an observer should be stationed at the main fan to ensure it is operating correctly and to warn the team in case of any malfunction. Also, someone should be monitoring gas levels at the main returns. Changing roof conditions shall be monitored continuously. During reventilation work, an observer should be stationed at the main fan to ensure it is operating correctly and to warn the team in case of any malfunction. Also, someone should be monitoring gas levels at the main returns. Changing roof conditions shall be monitored continuously.

Clearing and Rehabilitating the Affected Area Roof and rib control.

Pumping Water There are two ways of accomplishing this: –Advance fresh air to the area and then pump. –If the area needs cleared before they advance fresh air, if gas conditions permit, they can use non-conducting suction lines with a pump set up in fresh air to pump water. »Careful analysis should be made of the gas conditions in the area being pumped. »Water soluble gases will be pumped out along with the water. –When advancing into an area that has been inundated with water, pay attention to roof and rib conditions.

Loading Out Falls and Hot Debris –Many times the most practical means of dealing with debris found during recovery operations is to load it onto shuttle cars and/or mine cars and haul it from the mine. The material should be wet down before and during loading operations. In situations in which large areas of heated roof rock have fallen, water lances can be driven into the debris to aid in cooling.

Water lance Water Hose 10 foot length of pipe welded closed at the ends. With holes cut along its length