Page 43 - Vol 28 Issue 29 2019

mine ventilation mining

cooling-on-demand strategies have the Profitable exploitation must be secured
potential to reduce both the capital and amid the factors of ever-increasing Field-erected CCT
operating costs of mine ventilation and energy costs, stricter conditions, and
cooling systems, and the mechanisms lower tolerance levels to health risks
required are technically feasible. and accidents. In addition, ventilation
Reflecting on 30 years of business, BBE engineers and technicians strategize to
has a lot to be proud of, not only for its meet the demands of all parties and
achievement in becoming a world leader to provide safe and healthy working
in mine ventilation and cooling, but conditions underground at a minimum
for remaining a proudly independent cost. This balancing act requires intimate
professional outfit built on vast familiarity with the nature of geology and
experience. the ore deposit as well as their interaction
with the engineered mining operation.
Today, BBE comprises a team of well over
100 experienced professional consulting The main purpose of mine ventilation
and project engineers, who are leaders systems is to maintain thermal
in mine ventilation, refrigeration and comfort – and thereby improve safety
cooling practices; measurement and – of underground personnel, remove
control of underground pollutants (dust, heat from equipment, dilute mine
diesel, methane, radiation, etc.); energy contaminants, and provide fresh air for
optimisation and energy recovery; and personnel to breathe. Underground mines
computer modelling and software for need to be equipped with accurate, real-
ventilation and cooling networks. time, and intrinsically safe monitoring
systems to be able to continuously assess
the condition of a mine ventilation system.
Underground mine workforce safety and
As underground mines workplace productivity rely significantly
reach greater depths, on the performance of mine ventilation
higher temperatures, higher and monitoring systems.
humidity, and more gas Ventilation within any type of
emissions are encountered. underground mine functions in order to
This becomes a topic of introduce fresh air into the work space
interest to various audiences of the workers, while simultaneously
with very different viewpoints. removing contaminated air from the
Workers in the mines expect same location. The removal of such air
contaminants, heat, dust and gases, is
healthy and safe working also particularly important in maintaining
conditions with an acceptable an overall safe and healthy environment.
comfort level for a typically The basic components of any type of mine
heavy workload. Mining ventilation system involve a combination
operators wish to comply with of pipes, ducts, fans, cooling and heating
regulations while minimizing systems, and occasionally air cleaning
the cost of investment and equipment. Surface BAC under construction
operation. Mining industry Due to the extreme environment,
regulatory organizations underground mining operations make
demand compliance with use of some of the largest ventilation and
cooling systems in the world, incorporating
standards for safety and several types of cooling technology, such
health. Environmental and as evaporative condensers, mechanical
workers’ advocates wish to refrigeration plants, pre-cooling towers
see improvements in working and bulk air coolers, in order to ensure a
conditions as well as lower safe mine temperature.
emission standards. Mining These cooling systems typically work by
engineers try to design a mine producing chilled water, occasionally
within the constraints of all ice, to reduce the temperature of the air
of the above. entering the mine, or to be sent into the Refrigeration Machine
mine to reduce the ambient temperature

AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 28, Issue 29, 2019 | 43