It Happened…
On November 25, 1998, a fire rekindled following a roof fall in the gob. The longwall area and eventually the mine was sealed. All miners were successfully evacuated through the use of Personal Emergency Device (PED) System.
Example of a communication station for dispatcher
Example of a mine wide monitoring control room
COMMUNICATIONS during a mine emergency are a critical part of fire fighting and evacuation activities. A successful evacuation or fire fighting operation is dependent on the quality of the information that is communicated. The sooner miners are notified of a problem, the greater the chance of escape and/or fire fighting activities can begin. TIME IS NEVER YOUR FRIEND during a mine fire.
LOCATIONS
Working sections Strategic locations Belt drives
• ALWAYS provide accurate information to the surface regarding emergency situations.
• ALWAYS consider the use of personal communication devices that could provide key mine personnel early warning in the event of a fire or emergency situation.
• ALWAYS consider optional forms of remote communication such as; interlocking mine power or main belt operation with the main mine fans.
• NEVER disregard or take lightly reports of a mine fire.
• NEVER assume anything has been completed during an emergency, ASK FIRST!
• REMEMBER: TIME IS NEVER YOUR FRIEND!