• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mine Management

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Contributors to Fatigue of Mine Workers in the South African Gold and Platinum Sector

  • Pelders, Jodi;Nelson, Gill
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.188-195
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    • 2019
  • Background: Mine workers in South Africa face challenges relating to poor health and safety, including fatigue risks, and poor socioeconomic and living conditions. Fatigue results in impaired mental and physical performance. The aim of this study was to assess contributors to fatigue of mine workers in South Africa. Methods: Data collection took place at four gold mines and one platinum mine in South Africa. A total of 21 focus groups were held with individuals in management, union representatives, and mine workers, and 564 questionnaires were completed by mine workers to gather information about fatigue and potential contributors to fatigue at these mines. Results: Qualitatively (through focus groups), fatigue was attributed to extended working hours, harsh working conditions, high workloads, production pressure, and resource constraints, along with aspects relating to demographic and socioeconomic factors, living conditions, lifestyle, health, and wellness. Greater fatigue was significantly associated with younger age, indebtedness, a lack of exercise, poor nutrition, less sleep, increased alcohol use, poor self-reported health, more sick leave, higher stress, and lower job satisfaction. Conclusion: The aim of the study was achieved; numerous work-, sociodemographic-, lifestyle-, and wellness-related factors were linked to fatigue in the participating mine workers. Contributors to fatigue should be addressed to improve health, safety, and sustainability in the industry.

Environmental Contamination from Acid Mine Drainage (산성광산배수로 인한 환경오염도 조사)

  • Kang, Mee-A
    • The Journal of Engineering Geology
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    • v.17 no.1 s.50
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    • pp.143-150
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    • 2007
  • AMD (Acid mine drainage) from disused mines is one or the most significant pollutant problems to make harmful effect to human health. We demonstrated the mechanism of resolution and adsorption reaction for arsenic, manganese and zink from the soil and mine tailings which were located in the vicinity of a disused mine in Kyoungnam area. The resolution experiments were carried with a column test f3r 45 days continuously. Metal chemical forms in water were changed with the condition of solution pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential). Metal chemical forms affected on the reaction of resolution and adsorption of metals in water environments. Even though the sampling was carried in very closed location, there was significant different results of pollution level and ORP changes in terms of column operations. Hence It was important to note the pH and ORP in AMD to evaluate a risk assessment and a soil management using monitoring metals. When we operate AMD management with the mechanism of resolution and adsorption it can be achieved better economic solution.

Geochemistry of Acid Mine Water and Stream Sediment around the Donghae Coal Mine (동해탄광 주변 산성광산폐수와 하상퇴적물의 지구화학)

  • Oh, Dae Gyun;Kim, Jung Youp;Chon, Hyo Taek
    • Economic and Environmental Geology
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.213-220
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    • 1995
  • Geochemistry of stream water and sediment collected in the vicinity of the Donghae coal mine in the Samchuk coalfied were investigated in order to evaluate the environmental impacts of acid mine drainage. The pH of stream water ranges from 2.85(at 2 km away from the mine) to 7.92(at uncontaminated tributary). The main cation and anion species in the upper stream are $Ca^{2+}$ and $SO_{4}{^2-}$, respectively. The level of pH and the amount of $HCO^{3-}$ in stream water increase to the downstream and where uncontaminated small tributaries are joining, and in the area covered with limestone. From the results of thermodynamic calculation, the main forms of iron in stream water are estimated as $Fe^{2+}$ and $FeSO_{4}{^0}$, and most of them could be precipitated as FeO(OH) with increase of pH. The white precipitates in stream sediments particularly found around the coal mine are proved to be $Al(OH)_3$ by XRD and XRF analysis. As a result of investigation for seasonal variation of AMD, the level of pH decreased and conductivity increased in dry season.

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A study on the mine artillery striking method using agent based modeling & simulation (에이전트 기반모의를 통한 갱도포병 타격방안 연구)

  • Kim, Se-Yong
    • Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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    • 2008.10a
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    • pp.359-363
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    • 2008
  • In recent warfare, importance of counter-fire is increased. New weapon system and counter-fire have critical impact on defeating of the enemy. At an initial battle counter-fire, we need to study about striking plan against the enemy mine artillery. In this paper, we studied, using MANA(agent based model), how much cannon's hit probability and UAV-based target acquisition have influence on striking the mine artillery. We constructed MANA model based on the characteristics of a regional database of Korean peninsula. If we develop detail database of the ROK Army, the proposed MANA model can be used as a war-game model for the regimental level of the Army.

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A Suggestion of Blasting Patterns of a Mine closed to Railway Line for Securing Safety of High Speed Train (고속철도 안전확보를 위한 노선 인접 광산의 발파패턴 제안)

  • Kim, Hyun-Ki;Lee, Sung-Hyeok;Lee, Jin-Wook;Choi, Chan-Yong
    • Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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    • v.19 no.5
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    • pp.1-9
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    • 2015
  • Recently Honam high-speed railroad line is constructed in southern part of Korea. This line is for next generation HST named HEMU-430X. But there is a limestone mine near this line and this mine will make a process to dig a passageway under the railway line. In this case, safety of railroad system and stability of mine are crucial problems on both sides. By measuring mine blasting vibration and calculating regression equation, effect of mine blasting to train running is investigated quantitatively. 0.5 kine (cm/sec) is applied as a management specification of vibration based on field measurement. In this study, changes of blasting patterns are suggested to control vibration of mine blasting. And the effect of train vibration to mine is also invesitigated by numerical analysis.

Characteristics of Soil Chemical Properties in Abandoned Coal Mine Forest Rehabilitation Areas in Hwasun, South Jeolla Province (전라남도 화순군 폐탄광 산림복구지 토양의 화학적 특성)

  • Jung, Mun-Ho;Shim, Yon-Sik;Kim, Tae-Heok
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.44 no.6
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    • pp.1010-1015
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    • 2011
  • The objectives of this study were to investigate soil chemical characteristics for forest rehabilitation and suggest management in abandoned coal mine areas in Hwasun-gun, South Jeolla Province. Total study sites were 8 sites, and soil analysis particular were soil pH, TOC, total-N, C/N ratio, Avail. $P_2O_5$, and CEC. Average soil pH was 5.8 (4.7~6.4). Average contents of TOC, total-N and C/N ratio were 1.1% (0.2~2.0%), 0.08% (0.02~0.13%) and 15.0 (7.9~31.4), respectively. Average Avail. $P_2O_5$ was $8.3mg\;kg^{-1}$ (2.7~15.0) and Average CEC was $13.7cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$ ($9.9{\sim}18.5cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$). Soil pH was decreased according to elapsed time from forest rehabilitation, while TOC, total N and CEC were increased. Av. $P_2O_5$ did not show any relationship with elapsed time. Soil pH was stable comparing with general forest soil in South Jeolla Province (5.1), while contents of TOC and total N were lower than general forest soil in South Jeolla Province (4.9% and 0.18%, respectively). Therefore, sustainable managements such as fertilization for TOC and total N are necessary for good rooting and growth of vegetation.

Introduction of the M(i,j,k)BCP and Risk Assessment of Underground Limestone Mine (재난관리체계(M(i,j,k)BCP) 제안과 석회석광산의 리스크 평가)

  • Lee, Seong Min;Kim, Sun-Myung;Lee, Yeon Hee
    • Tunnel and Underground Space
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    • v.22 no.6
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    • pp.383-392
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    • 2012
  • This study introduces $M_{(i,j,k)}BCP$ (Mining Business Continuity Planning) which is the smart management system of mine disasters to achieve the safe and eco-friendly mining. Where, 'i' is mine kinds, 'j' is mining processes, and 'k' is risks at process respectively. By specifically setting 'i=1=limestone mine', this study also suggests that $M_{(i,j,k)}BCP$ is the smart management system of limestone mine. Mining risks used in this study were obtained from professional survey and literature review. This study classified these risks by five different mining processes and reduced risk numbers approximately 60 to 26. And they were all allocated into $M_{(i,j,k)}BCP$ and assessed. To do assess risks, this study used four risk indexes which are probability, casualty, facility loss, and discontinuity respectively. By the results of the assessment of risks, results could be four specific groups based on their causes and impacts. In addition, one of the results showed that the most possible risks at limestone mine was the roof-fall and rock-fall in digging process. This result means that $M_{(1,2,1)}BCP$ should be established as a first priority at limestone mine.

Risk Factors for the Number of Sustained Injuries in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Operation

  • Ajith, Michael M.;Ghosh, Apurna K.;Jansz, Janis
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.50-60
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    • 2020
  • Background: The relationship between risk factors and likelihood of occupational injury has been studied. However, what has been published has only provided a limited explanation of why some of the employees working in the same environment as other employees suffered a single-injury event, while other employees experienced multiple-injury events. This article reports on an investigation of whether artisanal and small-scale miners in Migori County of Kenya are susceptible to a single-injury or multiple-injury incidences, and if so, what underpinning parameters explain the differences between the single incident injured and the multiple incident injured group. Mine management commitment to safety in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operations is also considered. Materials and methods: The research objectives were achieved by surveying 162 uninjured and 74 injured miners. A structured, closed-end questionnaire was administered to participants after the stratification of the study population and systematic selection of the representative samples. Results: The results showed that most injured miners suffer a single-injury incident rather than experiencing multiple-injury events, and laceration (28.40%) was the common injury suffered by the miners. The analysis showed that the risk factors for the single incident injured group were not similar to those in the multiple incident injured group. The research also found mine workers have low opinion about mine management/owners commitment to safety. Conclusion: The study concluded that mine management and miners need to be educated and sensitized on the dangers of this operation. Provision of safety gears and positive safety culture must be a top priority for management.