Bezpieczeństwo Pracy i Ochrona Środowiska w Górnictwie Number 08/2023

The article concerns the planned modernization of the power supply system for special transport equipment in the Regis shaft in the scope of building the electricity processing and storage system. In order to improve the safety of people in the underground excavations, the mine plans to install a system enabling emergency power supply for the lifts in the event of a power outage. At the same time, the mine started works related to the development of a photovoltaic power plant, which in the future will make it possible to store energy in periods when the costs of electricity from the power supply network are high and to draw energy stored in this way when electricity costs are low. Energy storage is a key factor in integrating renewable energy into the power generation system and optimizing electricity consumption.

Lafarge Cement S.A. out of concern for the environment and local communities, announced the „Lafarge Sustainable Development Strategy in Poland until 2030”. It includes, among others: dialogue with the local community and local government, financial and advisory support for local initiatives, reduction of paraseismic vibrations thanks to the use of electronic detonators to initiate explosives, improvement of work safety thanks to: investments in modern mobile equipment, equipping machines with cameras, reversing sensors, reflectors and lights, purchase of defibrillators and modular first aid backpacks and introduction of dynamic risk assessment, reporting of perceived threats and analysis of their root causes using, among others, electronic applications, as well as activities improving the safety of residents (providing defibrillators, installing an air quality meter, supporting the Fire Brigade). The above solutions translate into maintaining good relations with residents and the health of employees, proving the ability of the mining plant to operate in symbiosis with the environment.

The mine's experience in operating overhead railroads has translated into improvements in the efficiency and safety of underground transportation. First, internal combustion engines above 100 kW were abandoned, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Diesel tractors are now being abandoned in favor of electric tractors. After 4 years of using electric tractors, it was found that battery efficiency decreases by 10% per year and has a linear course. In the case of the transport unit, or so-called "beam," measures have been taken to move the operator a safe distance away from the materials being loaded. First, a way to supply 12 VDC to the solenoid valves responsible for controlling the beams was developed, and then the flow of winch oil was correlated with the operation of the solenoid valves. The electro-hydraulic control, on the other hand, is integrated with a radio remote control, making it possible to control two winches from a distance of up to 20 meters. In the event of a loss of radio communication, the electro-hydraulic valves are closed and locked, thereby automatically shutting down the unit. There is then the possibility of manual control through buttons, which are located on the solenoid valves. As a result of the above changes, the operator, standing at the bottom, pulls up/lowers the winch chains from a safe distance using a remote control. In conclusion, it should be emphasized that solutions of the type described make it possible to carry out transportation tasks in conditions that are safe for everyone.

Mining for layers of thick coal seams, including those with a high propensity for spontaneous combustion, results in a high fire hazard at the Mysłowice-Wesoła coal mine. During the preparatory work for longwall 530 in deck 510, mining and geological conditions affected the elevated level of fire hazard. Therefore, continuous temperature measurement using the mining fiber-optic temperature measurement system (GŚPT) from DMP System sp. z o.o. was applied here. A fiber-optic sensor cable was built into the excavations contouring the wall, and 66 short (2-4 m) holes were drilled, planted with pipes to allow the location of the sensor cable. The CHARON computer program was used to analyze the results, which, among other things, initiates warnings and alerts displayed on a computer screen and transmitted to the phones and computers of designated traffic supervisors.
As a result, these people are able to interpret the results of the measurements very quickly and take the right action at an early stage of the temperature rise without involving large human and equipment resources. There has been no increase in fire danger since the launch of the GŚPT system. It allows detection of temperature changes in a designated area, enabling rapid localization of self-heating areas and conducting fire prevention on a continuous basis, which protects against the origin or development of endogenous fires and the resulting losses.