MARKETS

Electricity a big factor in explosions

A KEY risk control in preventing explosions underground is explosion-protected electrical plant, New South Wales director of mine safety operations Rob Regan told the annual electrical engineering safety seminar last week.

Lou Caruana
Electricity a big factor in explosions

Entitled “Zero harm is no accident”, Regan’s presentation also called for purposeful planning and electrical engineering to achieve safety standards in underground mines.

“Gas and dust explosions are catastrophic risk events,” he said.

“Electricity is a significant source of ignition.”

Regan said safe work outcomes could be achieved by controlling the physical work environment in mines and workshops through competent people, fit for purpose plant and equipment, and safe systems of work.

He said the NSW Mine Safety Operations Branch assisted by overseeing and keeping up to date with engineering standards, process design and manufacture.

It also investigates problem technology and the design, manufacture and maintenance processes, and systems.

“It communicates the lessons and encourages best practice standards,” he said.

Electrical energy was the third highest contributor to underground coal incidents from 1990-2000, accounting for 1746 incidents in that time.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalogue of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.