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Digital solutions for increased health and safety in the mine

Awareness is the first step toward safer and more productive mining operations. With our digital solutions, you can work with mixed fleets, existing equipment, and existing partners to increase mine health, reduce risk and strengthen regulatory compliance. With the real-time information at hand, you can make smart decisions faster and avoid dangerous situations. Together, we can find the solution that works for you.

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Rare earths magnets spark safety warning

An underground coal mine in Queensland recently reported a spark incident after a drill steel impacted a rare earth magnet. The magnet, which is part of the drill steel holder for storage when not in use, was normally imbedded in a polyurethane assembly but became exposed due to wear and tear of the polyurethane.

Testing was undertaken on the equipment following found that when struck by hardened steel, sparks were generated that were capable of igniting a flammable gas atmosphere.

The NSW Resources Regulator outlined several recommendations to avoid sparking:

• Designers of equipment intended for use in underground coal mines must ensure that if rare earth magnets are used, they are provided with suitable protection from impact

• Operators should identify if these magnets are installed on underground equipment

• Risk assessments should be undertaken to consider the suitability of existing control measures and determine if more are required

• Maintenance and inspection procedures should be undertaken to ensure magnets are mechanically protected and, where protection is compromised, the magnet

Don’t vape and mine: Safety bulletin

The NSW safety bulletin has warned mine operators to crack down on hazardous contraband in underground coal mines, including vapes and e-cigarettes, discarded batteries, and even court-ordered ankle monitors. The warning comes after five separate contraband items were found on underground coal miners during May, including three vapes, discarded alkaline batteries from electrical test equipment, and a monitoring and tracking ankle bracelet.

In one instance, a continuous miner was caught with a vape in the hazardous zone of a coal mine. And it’s more than a concern for people’s lung health that sparked the warning. Contraband, like vapes, has the potential to ignite flammable gasses and dust, or add fuel to existing fires. In an environment as sensitive as a coal mine, the outcome could be potentially catastrophic. The bulletin makes a list of recommendations for mine operators should be removed from service to reduce the risks of contraband:

• Operators should implement controls that prevent the unauthorised introduction of rare earths magnets on underground equipment. If sparks from faulty equipment cause a fire, operators could be fined upwards of $50,000.

• Portable electrical apparatus (PEA) systems must cover the use of battery-powered apparatus; battery-powered apparatus that has not gone through the PEA system is considered contraband

• An effective system to manage the use of PEA must be implemented at all underground mines and around surface locations that have been identified as hazardous areas due to explosion risk

• A review of the risk assessment associated with the PEA system should be conducted, ensuring that controls have been implemented and remain effective. This should include confirming hazards have been identified and risks assessed for equipment/ apparatus being taken underground; permits are in place; underground and before accessing surface hazardous areas

• A documented system to search for contraband must be in place. These searches should include both scheduled and random searches and results must be documented. The safety bulletin also provides a list of potential contraband of

• Watches

• Torches and commercial headlamps

• Hearing aids

• Radio frequency cards and transponders

• Batteries and non-certified batterypowered equipment

Non-electrical contraband:

• Cigarettes, tobacco used for