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Underground coal gasification boost, diesel mechanisation and health, simulation upping safety, productivity

25th April 2014

By: Martin Creamer

Creamer Media Editor

  

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The inclusion of underground coal gasification (UCG) regulation in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill is raising hopes of the near-term inclusion of clean coal technology in the national energy mix. Read on page 9 of this edition of Mining Weekly of the Department of Energy and the Department of Mineral Resources talking of establishing an interdepartmental task team to synchronise the introduction of UCG, which State electricity enterprise Eskom has successfully piloted, together with coal, over two years at its Majuba power station to determine the commercial viability of the technology. Eskom will start work on a larger-scale UCG plant at Majuba as soon as environmental approvals are received. During this second phase, the UCG gas will continue to be co-fired with coal, but, in the planned third phase, only gas will be used. Eskom is excited about UCG because it opens up the possibility of making use of coal reserves previously regarded as too fragmented, too deep or simply uneconomical.

With South Africa moving away from labour-intensive mining towards mechanisation, fears are being expressed about the poten- tial effect on health of greater use of diesel equipment in underground mines. Read on page 18 of this edition of Mining Weekly of the United Nations World Health Organisation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer declaring diesel particulate matter (DPM) a confirmed human carcinogen. However, no legally binding standard has yet been put in place for DPM, although the Department of Mineral Resources has introduced an interim DPM exposure control value using a phased-in approach, which the department aims to gradually lower over the next few years. Meanwhile, veteran research commentator Dr Robbie Robinson is suggesting that mines comply with the Mining Charter by using their surface ground to grow maize for biofuel production to replace diesel in underground equipment. Robinson sees ethanol fuel as the only safe fuel for deep- level mechanical automated equipment. Any accident involving leakage can be dealt with by washing down with water.

Media mine visits nowadays show that some mines are resorting to simulation to prepare personnel to operate expensive equipment safely and efficiently. Read on page 21 of this edition of Mining Weekly of a heavy equipment training simulator supplier’s comments on the potential of using simulation to upskill employees and also bring the surrounding community skills base into the equation. Simulation potentially limits overexposure of expensive mining equipment to training risk. Subsequent operational damage can also be potentially reduced because aspirant operators are able to familiarise themselves with the controls before getting behind the wheel in real time. Despite continued cautiousness and a slowdown in the mining industry, investments in operator competence, including safety and productivity, are reportedly continuing to grow with the help of simulation technology.

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Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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