Monitoring and Sampling Approaches to Assess Underground Coal Mine Dust Exposures (2018) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix F: Underground Coal Mining Methods and Engineering Dust Controls
Appendix F: Underground Coal Mining Methods and Engineering Dust Controls
Pages 130-142
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From page 130... ...
. While the longwall section accounts for the bulk of the production from a longwall mine, the continuous miner sections, depending on mining conditions and practices, can account for up to 40 percent of the total production.
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From page 131... ...
However, ever since the introduction of continuous miners in the late 1940s, room-and-pillar continuous mining has been gaining ground over conventional room-and-pillar mining. In recent years, room-and-pillar continuous mining accounts for more than 38 percent of the underground coal production (EIA, 2017)
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From page 132... ...
The number of personnel in the panel may include a continuous-miner operator and possibly a helper, roof bolter operator and helper, two shuttle car operators, a mechanic, a ventilation/utility miner, and a mine foreman. Continuous-Miner Section Equipment The major equipment list for a continuous-miner section would include the continuous miner, roof bolter, shuttle cars, feeder-breaker, panel belt, and utility scoop to carry supplies.
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From page 133... ...
Further, monitoring technology and sampling strategies for respirable RCMD measurement have evolved to assist miners, mine management, and mine inspectors in their efforts to comply with the prevailing ambient airborne RCMD standards. TABLE F-1 MSHA RCMD Samples, 2009-2012 RCMD RCMD Quartz Dust Occupation/No.
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From page 134... ...
Major aspects of continuousminer dust control are associated with Design of cutter bits and the cutter head speed; Frequent replacement of worn-out bits; Use of scrubbers on the machines to capture and remove the dust; Appropriate arrangement of water sprays, water flow rate, number of sprays, and the water pressure; Use of wetting agents; Use of sprays, fans, and other means to course air currents toward dust sources and to conduct dusty air away from miners (Figure F-3 illustrates a water spray arrangement on a continuous miner) ; Face ventilation alternatives, including several auxiliary ventilation systems; Modified cutting practices; and Remote control of the continuous miner.
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From page 135... ...
A major source of dust exposure for roof bolter operators is when working downwind of the continuous miner. To avoid such exposures, the canopy of the roof bolter may be so designed with a fan and duct system such that part of the air entering the entry is drawn into it, filtered, and then blown in the breathing zone of the bolter operator.
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From page 136... ...
FIGURE F-4 Layout of longwall panels. Transport of miners, supplies, coal, and intake air occurs through the headgate entries.
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From page 137... ...
Unless required for a very specific reason, such as the shearer operators or jack setters, it is always a good practice to keep all miners upwind of the shearer when it is cutting coal. It is also a good practice to keep the dust that is generated by the shearer confined to the face area and conducted away from migrating into the walkway anywhere near the shearer's length.
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From page 138... ...
the tailgate splitter arm or spray manifold. The idea of a scrubber for a longwall shearer -- much like a flooded bed scrubber for continuous miner -- is under research and development.
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From page 139... ...
DUST CONTROL PLANS Every underground coal mining section in the United States operates under a MSHAapproved mine ventilation plan, which contains provisions for methane and dust control, as specified in 30 CFR 75.370 . The dust control portion of the ventilation plan is specifically developed by the mine operator for each section in the mine and approved by the MSHA District Manager.
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From page 140... ...
BOX F-2 Examples of Dust Control Plan Items for Continuous Miner Units in Underground Mines Continuous Miner Dust Control: location, type and number of sprays, pressure and quantity of water flow; machine-mounted scrubbers. Provision of Hoses: wash down hoses, sprinkler hoses Roof Bolter Dust Control: dust collection system operation and maintenance Sprays on belt lines Ventilation Controls: single or dual-split ventilation, air quantity in the coal face, face ventilation system (line curtain or tubing)
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From page 141... ...
2017. Presentation from Director of NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division, NIOSH Information for NAS Committee on Respirable Coal Dust to Committee on the Study of the Control of Respirable Coal Mine Dust Exposure in Underground Mines, Washington, DC, February 8, 2017.
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From page 142... ...
2003. Control of Airborne Respirable Dust Hazards: A Train ing Program for Underground Coal Miners," by, The Penn State Miner Training Program.
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