1. Southern Coal Fields Outburst Seminar
Shotfiring Training
Alan Phillips

2. Agenda
Background on shotfiring, grunching and explosives in underground Coal Mines
Shotfiring Legislation including Licencing
Shotfiring training for Deputy & Undermanager candidates
Practical exercises using a Shotfiring training Model in the class room environment.

3. Shotfiring in the Southern District
Coal mining has a long history of mining coal with explosives particularly prior to mechanization during the 1940’s.
All Mines in the Bulli seam carry out a considerable amount of shotfiring, mainly in stone - excavating for overcasts, conveyors, workshops and Intrusions

4. Grunching
The term used for mining a roadway in coal with the use of explosives by blasting of the solid, ie no slot or undercut (Only one free face )
It is a method of mining coal remotely which is a mandatory requirement if above threshold coal is to be mined where gas drainage has not drained in an area effectively using traditional methods.
Structures
Tight coal

5. Why is training important?
Shotfiring like any process in underground mines can be hazardous.
Safe operating procedures, safe and fit for purpose equipment and competent well trained personnel ensure that hazards and risks from shotfiring are well managed and conducted safely.
A proper designed, drilled, loaded and fired round results in very little risk

6. Explosives – What are they?
They are chemical compounds initiated by shock, heat or impact.
They transform rapidly, releasing heat and (mainly) high pressure gases
They create a stress wave and exert pressure.
Deflagrating (notably black powder)
High (permitted and non-permitted)
Initiating (notably PETN and ASA)

7. Senatel 1000
Sentatel 1000 explosives are widely used in underground coal mines
a P1 explosive only approved for use in stone
Cartridge emulsion high explosive
VOD – 4200 metres /second
Very safe and stable compared with the old nitro glycerin based explosives – low sensitivity but very high energy
Low explosives
<2000 metres per second
High explosives
>2000 metres per second
Initiating explosives = 5000m to 7500m

8. Detonating an explosive
Carrick II Detonators are low incendive, short delay detonators approved for use in underground coal mines.
They are an electric delay detonator, containing a sleeved fusehead, a delay element (except for 0 delay), a priming composition and a Tetryl base charge inside a cylindrical copper shell.
They have very high sensitivity to impact.

9. Carrick Detonators
How many milliseconds in a second?

10. Approval Process – P1 in coal
Risk Assessment - MDG1010
Independent review
Risk assessment and
Control measures
2 weeks notice - Chief Inspector or Delegate
Safety file containing risk assessment, review document, vent plan and other details

11. Shotfiring Training 2 Units of Competency
Support Shotfiring – minimum pre-requisite OR
Conduct Shotfiring – required for Blasting Explosives User Licence (BEUL) – Shotfirer
Certificate IV in Underground Coal Operations (Deputy)
Dip of Underground Coal Mining Management (Undermanager)
Adv Dip of Underground Coal Mining Management (Manager)

12. Shot Firing Training
The main difference between the units of competency is that Conduct shotfiring has:
more information of Blast hole patterns and designs
requires log book evidence of assisting in the firing of at least 3 shots
Both units will contain information on grunching

13. Shotfiring Training Course
Class room environment
A lot of good information
A lot of PowerPoint slides
Videos, but all are hard rock blasting and open cut
Learners receive the class room presentations, a copy of the notes, a study guide and are given a assessment to complete and return for marking

14. Key learning points Identifying hazards and risks
Shotfiring operations – Explosives Management Plan
Shotfiring procedures
Ensure the area is thoroughly stonedusted
Maintain housekeeping and standards
Ensure Holes are drilled to the authorised plan
Flush, clean and test holes
Loading and stemming

15. How do we do this in the classroom?
Practical Exercises
Test a blast cable
Test for breaks in shot holes
Make up primers
Load and stem
Test the circuit
Deal with issues

16. Testing a blasting cable
Open circuit test
Closed circuit test

17. Examine Blastholes
A shothole shall not be charged unless it has been tested with an approved break detector and found to be free of breaks.

18. Components Training detonators and primer

19. Training Detonators – Contains No Explosives

20. Making up the Primers
Primers must not be made up until immediately before charging commences.

21. Making up the primers

22. Version 1 of the Shotfiring Model

23. In the workplace – Face drill ready to fire

25. Shotfiring Plan for Training Model

26. Drilling Plan for Training Model

27. Working out the Wedge for the model

28. Under construction - to scale

29. Installing the shotholes

30. Training Model
1 metre = 5 meters
600 millimetres = 3 meters

31. Conclusion - Practical Training
With the Model, PowerPoints, Learner Guide and the whiteboard the trainees can better learn the processes including
Loading and stemming the round.
Testing the round.
Dealing with problems
Understand the process 3 ways,
Seeing
Reading
Doing
Before exposure in the workplace

32. Any Questions ?
Thank you