Ventilation of underground workings and improvement of comfort levels

Abstract

Ventilation of underground mines is required to dilute and remove hazardous gases, control heat and provide oxygen for workers and machinery. Kahatagaha- Kolongaha mines, Dodamgaslanda was selected for the present study as it was restarted recently and therefore very little research has been done on air quantity and quality of the mine. The objectives of this research are to make a proposal to rectify the existing ventilation system and to upgrade the existing airflow system with modifications to the present system. A detailed ventilation survey was carried out by measuring the variations of airflow, pressure drop and humidity differences along four levels of the mine (i.e. 565ft, 805ft, and 965ft and 1132ft levels) and compared with the corresponding standard values which describe the permissible conditions to be met for working underground. The distributions of airflows, pressures and humidity in each level could be detailed on graphs and the areas where the additional air supplies were identified. It was proposed to install a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity level inside the mine. Suggestions were made to improve the present ventilation system by locating two booster fans in level 565 ft and 805 ft, which will enhance mine air quality increasing health and safety aspects of underground environment.