Underground » Detection and Prevention of Fires and Explosions
Comprehensive resources dealing with spontaneous combustion have been developed and disseminated throughout the queensland coal industry. In August 1994, an explosion occurred at Moura No 2 underground mine, resulting in the loss of lives and the closure of the mine. In the subsequent inquiry, the Mining Warden found that the explosion was initiated by spontaneous combustion and he recommended actions to reduce the likelihood of such an event recurring.
Project Objectives
The project aims to develop methods for the collection and dissemination of information relating to the prevention, detection and control of spontaneous combustion as outlined in recommendations 19 and 23 of the Moura Inquiry report. A comparison of laboratory methods for the prediction of spontaneous combustibility of coal, originally a separate ACARP project application, was incorporated into this project at the direction of ACARP, and the scope of the comparison limited to a literature review. Specifically, the project objectives were to:
- Revise the existing red and blue handbooks on spontaneous combustion and supply handbooks for use in the mines
- Develop appropriate audio-visual aids to be used in conjunction with the handbooks for educational and training purposes at underground mine level
- Provide the resource materials to enable underground mines to establish a library of material on spontaneous combustion and associated training materials
- Prepare a state-of-the-art report on spontaneous combustion in coal mines by undertaking an exhaustive international literature search to collect information on spontaneous combustion and its occurrence
- Disseminate results and demonstrate these methods throughout the industry.
Outcomes
As a result of this work, SIMTARS:
- Produced handbooks tailored to the differing needs of underground coal mine employees. Renamed Spontaneous Combustion in Underground Coal Mines - a Handbook for Mine Workers (red book) and Spontaneous Combustion in Underground Coal Mines - a Manual for Mine Personnel (blue book), they contain generic and mine-specific information and are aligned with the competency-based standards on spontaneous combustion.
- Produced suitable audio-visual aids to be used in conjunction with the red and blue handbooks and other educational materials.
- Produced a comprehensive database of case studies of spontaneous combustion episodes in underground coal mines in a user-friendly format.
- Produced a resource base from which underground mines can create their own library of material on spontaneous combustion and allied training materials.
- Compared the different standard laboratory test methods with information that accurately describes the different test methods, their strengths and weaknesses, and where the methods should be applied.
- Produced a state-of-the-art report on spontaneous combustion and the application of laboratory tests.
This was the first systematic and comprehensive dissemination of information about spontaneous in Australia. The information covers all areas of mining practice that impact on spontaneous combustion, as well as theoretical knowledge and real life experiences.
Mechanisms such as computer-based training packages have been used to optimise and monitor the effectiveness of the information transfer.
The extensive distribution of the texts and resources indicates that the industry has already accepted the outcomes of this research project.
Where To From Here
For the information collected and disseminated by this project to remain effective, it will need to be regularly updated. As part of its Mine Hazard Awareness and Technology Transfer program, SIMTARS is committed to undertaking this work.
Further Information
All resources produced from this research are available from Carmel Bofinger, SIMTARS (phone 3810 6333).