SHIFT MINER The Queensland mining community’s best source of local news
Monday 29th March 83rd Edition 2010
M A G A Z I N E
Locally Owned and Operated - www.shiftminer.com
ACHTUNG!
Explosive concerns about diesel engines underground MINERS across Queensland could be at risk of an underground explosion because of faulty diesel engines. In New South Wales, the Mines Department has revealed that 15 per cent of the safety mechanisms installed to prevent explosions in diesel engines underground will fail at some time this year. Over the past three years, 465 explosion protected diesel engine systems (EPDES) have failed in NSW. That figure equates to one failing every 56 hours, or worse still, suggests that every single device in NSW would fail over a period of seven years. More worrying for Queenslanders, the report said the figure could actually be even higher because many of the EPDES that are registered in NSW are actually operating in Queensland coal mines. A spokesman from the Queensland Mines Inspectorate said they were aware of the problem and had been looking into it. But he said a search of the High Potential Incident (HPI) database had revealed very few similar incidents in this state. “The division has also checked directly with a number of mines and they have confirmed the veracity of the HPI database,” he said. Diesel engines that operate underground are required to be fitted with special systems designed to prevent them igniting dangerous gasses or coal dust while working below the surface.
1.00
(SPQs excepted)
News QR sale deemed “recipe for disaster” » page 4 News CQ businesses in LNG flurry » page 5 News Should mining companies be training more workers? » page 6
Why this koala has researchers smiling.
Business Bandanna Energy’s plans in the Galilee Basin » page 15
» Details page 7 These explosion protection systems are needed because there is always a risk underground that flammable gasses like methane could accumulate around working miners if there is a problem with ventilation. The high level of failure in these systems
News Hairy scenes at Moranbah state school » page 12
is putting miners in grave danger, according to the NSW Mines Department. “This is an unacceptable failure rate in view of contemporary engineering standards, and the consequence of failure may be
» continued page 8
Why not consider a career in health and aged care? · Flexible work rosters · Industry leading pay · Seeking medical officers, midwives, nurses, carer’s, Allied professionals
$
· Excellent career prospects · Across all mining areas including Rockhampton, Mackay, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Yeppoon
Go to www.mercycq.com/careers
or call our recruitment team on (07) 49317481
Money Matters Have you considered investing in horses? » page 26