Coal Mine Accidents in Bangladesh: Its Causes and Remedial Measures
Barapukuria coal mine (BCM) is located at Dinajpur district, NW Bangladesh. Total area is about 6.68 km2 and coal was encountered at a depth ranging between 118 and 509 m. Six major coal seams (seam I to seam VI) were identified at BCM, of which, thickest one is the seam-VI (~36 m). The estimated co...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Society of Economic Geologists and Mineral Technologists
2012-12-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Economic and Environment Geology |
| Online Access: | http://www.econ-environ-geol.org/pdf/june2013/Article-5.pdf |
| Summary: | Barapukuria coal mine (BCM) is located at Dinajpur district, NW Bangladesh. Total area is about 6.68 km2 and coal was encountered at a depth ranging between 118 and 509 m. Six major coal seams (seam I to seam VI) were identified at BCM, of which, thickest one is the seam-VI (~36 m). The estimated coal reserves is about 390 million tons and of this, nearly 64 million tons of coal is extractable. The annual production of coal is about 1 million ton. In this study several parameters were used to explore minimization of accidents and improvement of coal production in BCM. Considering the geological, hydrological and other technical parameters, longwall mining method is applied for extraction of coal. Longwall retreating mining method is also applied for extraction of coal from single face with the operational area protected by self-advancing hydraulic powered roof support (HPRS) system. These supports are moved forward causing the roof behind them to form an extensive abandoned area named goaf, which may lead to collapse with air blast. Coal in BCM is extracted from seam VI, using a multislice Longwall top coal caving method. Average ventilated air composition is ~20.94% oxygen, ~79.00% nitrogen, ~0.04% carbon monoxide, and minor water steam with huge dust. Production of coal was completed from 12 Longwall faces of 1st slice from seam VI. During production period several accidents and troubles within BCM have occurred. Poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide were detected during/after development of 1110 Longwall face, which increases up to 6000 ppm, therefore, sealed-off the face with mining equipments. During the development of belt gate roadway of 1101 Longwall face, maximum temperature and humidity increases up to 37 oC and 100%, respectively. Miners of BCM experienced some difficulties to work in that adverse environment. Air return roadway temperature was always 40 to 41oC in 1101 Longwall face during production period, faces temperature 46oC, water flow 600 m3/hr and humidity 100%. Due to roof-fall, toxic gas and very high temperature and humidity in the face 1105 and 1108, some miners were highly injured and died. Therefore, taking necessary safety and risk measures during development of face and roadway in BCM, production will be sustained by controlling roof-fall. Strata pressure of every faces is monitor regularly through electromagnetic emission detector as well as changing sufficient ventilation system, accidents of BCM could be controlled. Adding earth filling materials (e.g. sand, silt etc.) in to the vacuum goaf area, air blast accident should be reduced and surface subsidence would also be controlled. Considering all the problems of 1st slice and initiating extra caution for face development accident in BCM may reduce in 2nd slice and overall production may be increased significantly. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2223-957X 2223-957X |