Modern Mining September 2024

a development end, the fans automatically activate. While this is possible, there are complexities to this assumption. To begin with, we have to ensure the conditions in the development end are suitable for both personnel and machinery. Mining equipment is not designed to operate under extreme conditions, so they have operational limits. When driving an LHD into a development end, it is possible to achieve similar conditions as with an automated VoD system by manually switching on a fan or opening

implementing such a system is easier said than done. It is often perceived as expensive, shifts the responsibility from production personnel to maintenance personnel, and can be viewed by production personnel as restrictive. So, where are the savings for new mines? By minimising airflow, the number of shafts needed to carry air is reduced, making the operating costs of fans more manageable and

decreasing the overall cost of mining. Shafts are expensive and take a long time to establish. VoD offers a convenient solution to minimise airflow and, by extension, the required number of shafts. Depending on the orebody and mining method, vertically equipped shafts are used to convey personnel and materials, with their primary purpose being to provide sufficient air to the mine to support mining activities. From a design perspective, VoD has been widely accepted, and many mines using massive mining techniques assume VoD will be implemented. It seems like a great technique to reduce costs and ensure the right amount of

a damper a little more. However, this approach has its limitations

The ideal ventilation system is one where technology identifies requirements and responds accordingly, with humans overseeing operations and identifying abnormalities.

and challenges compared to an automated VoD system. Manually adjusting ventilation can be effective in achieving the desired conditions, but it requires significant effort and time. The

human factor plays a crucial role in this method, and it is often the reason for its downfall. Manual VoD systems in comparison are set up once, usually at the beginning of a shift, and cannot react to system changes, like other fans being started or fan trips. Implementing remote monitoring of ventilation flows within secondary ventilation systems would be a significant initial step in

air. So, where are we going with this? Well, VoD is often perceived as a fully automated system that adjusts airflow as needed, similar to lights coming on when you enter a room. The assumption is that when a Load-Haul-Dump vehicle (LHD) enters

Mining & Metals Underground Capabilities

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