Coaltech Research Association

Life sustainability of underground refuge bays of South African collieries

An industry database of South African refuge bay designs set beside practice in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, prompted by recent underground emergencies.

Coaltech | July 2023

What this report found

No single global standard governs refuge bay design, and the collieries surveyed differ widely in construction, location, equipment and operating practice, which made ranking them impractical. Areas needing attention were identified in design, construction and maintenance of the facilities that keep people alive until rescue, drawn against local law and overseas practice.

R1500,00

Description

Coaltech was requested by the South African Colliery Managers Association (SACMA) to investigate and assess Refuge Bay designs, construction, and equipment by referencing legal and other requirements as well as international practices in the use of Refuge Bays as places of safety for life-sustainability during emergencies.

Related Products

Treatment of Sulphate Rich Effluents with the Combined Electrolytic/Biological Process

2003

Laboratory work on producing hydrogen by electrolysis as the energy source for sulphate reducing bacteria, aimed at cutting the running cost of treating sulphate rich mine water.

What this report foundHydrogen for biological sulphate removal can be generated on site by electrolysis more cheaply than it can be bought.

R1500,00

R1500,00

What this report found

Hydrogen for biological sulphate removal can be generated on site by electrolysis more cheaply than it can be bought. Stainless steel electrodes in acid mine drainage gave hydrogen at about a third of the bought in price while oxidising ferrous iron to ferric, which helps downstream treatment. Iron and zinc electrodes dissolved too quickly to be viable.

Determination of the Impact of Coal Mine Water Irrigation on Groundwater Resources

2007

Groundwater investigation behind mine water irrigation in the Mpumalanga coalfields, with hydraulic testing, leaching studies and site selection and monitoring guidance for mines and regulators.

What this report foundMonitoring and geochemical modelling at five pilot sites, on undisturbed soils and on opencast spoils, showed that most soils held a large share of the applied...

R1500,00

R1500,00

What this report found

Monitoring and geochemical modelling at five pilot sites, on undisturbed soils and on opencast spoils, showed that most soils held a large share of the applied salt in the upper unsaturated zone and that salinity built up slowly. Leachate volumes, leachate quality and aquifer mixing ratios were quantified. Irrigation is recommended on alternating pivots and for no longer than ten years in one area.

Benefits of an Apiary at a Rehabilitation Site

Ian Mey

2019

Desktop study based on literature, a stakeholder workshop and specialist consultation, assessing whether keeping bees on rehabilitating mine land pays, for closure teams weighing aftercare options.

What this report foundThe financial benefit of bees to a rehabilitating site could not be modelled with confidence, and a field trial to show direct benefit is hard to configure...

R1500,00

R1500,00

Ian Mey

What this report found

The financial benefit of bees to a rehabilitating site could not be modelled with confidence, and a field trial to show direct benefit is hard to configure because so many variables affect rehabilitation. Apiaries suit sites where bee friendly plants are established, the return coming through honey yield rather than measured gains in biodiversity or ground cover, at low establishment cost.

Dry Screening Tests Conducted With a Bivi-tec Screen

GJ de Korte

2008

Screening trials at two South African collieries, one on a small test unit and one on a full scale installation, for plant staff handling fine, damp coal.

What this report foundFine coal was screened at small apertures while surface moisture stayed below about 5 per cent.

R1500,00

R1500,00

GJ de Korte

200820 pages

What this report found

Fine coal was screened at small apertures while surface moisture stayed below about 5 per cent. Above that, fines adhered to the coarser particles and screening became very difficult. The dual vibrating polyurethane mats stopped blinding and clogging, so screening area stayed available, but the screen action still could not dislodge fines from very damp coal.

Shopping Basket