Latest Downloadable Mining Publications

The CART-based model that is given in this paper can be used to predict methane emission rates and to adjust operation parameters under ventilation constrains in longwall mining.  (PDF, 1273 KB, 2012)

To help manage noise exposures, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed the Determination of Sound Exposures (DOSES) software and implementation guide for use by mine management and safety personnel.  (PDF, 346 KB, 2012)

Throughout the mining and processing of minerals, the mined ore undergoes a number of crushing, grinding, cleaning, drying, and product sizing operations as it is processed into a marketable commodity. These operations are highly mechanized, and both individually and collectively these processes can generate large amounts of dust. If control technologies are inadequate, hazardous levels of respirable dust may be liberated into the work environment, potentially exposing workers. Accordingly, federal regulations are in place to limit the respirable dust exposure of mine workers. Engineering controls are implemented in mining operations in an effort to reduce dust generation and limit worker exposure. (PDF, 14308 KB, 2012)

This paper provides information about the effect of common obstructions in underground mining on air velocity readings. (PDF, 1795 KB, 2012)
                                

This paper describes tests conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Barricade II Fire Blocking Gel. (PDF, 325 KB, 2012)
                                              

This paper will present the results of testing completed on a selection of four sound restoration hearing protection devices, with the objective of determining if they provide improved speech intelligibility to workers near certain types of mining equipment.  (PDF, 542 KB, 2012)

Occupational exposure to high levels of respirable quartz can result in respiratory and other diseases in humans. The Mine Safety and Health Adminstration (MSHA) regulates exposure to respirable quartz in coal mines indirectly through reductions in the respirable coal mine dust exposure limit based on the content of quartz in the airborne respirable dust. (PDF, 258 KB, 2012)

This paper documents the evolution of the bit isolator and chuck isolator. Laboratory testing confirms that production bit and chuck isolators reduce the A-weighted sound level generated during drilling by 3.7 to 6.6 dB.  (PDF, KB, 2012)

This paper describes the results of recent experiments comparing results from using the BELT and the large-scale tests for six different belts.  (PDF, 325 KB, 2012)

Nonverbal Communication for Mine Emergencies is a training program that teaches miners a series of nonverbal hand signals to use in the event of an emergency. These hand signals can be used by miners if they have donned an SCSR and are unable to communicate verbally. The training program includes a Microsoft PowerPoint instructional presentation, several partner/group training activities, and a Microsoft PowerPoint retention test. (PDF, 1692 KB, 2012)

A comprehensive analysis of these events was conducted to better understand where and why these incidents occurred. (PDF, 577 KB, 2012)
                                    

This paper will present an analysis of the model along with a model construction process. Also presented are the laboratory test results of a prototype system that implements this model to determine the exact location of a magnetic sensor using the fields from two generators.  (PDF, 526 KB, 2012)

To evaluate' and develop medium frequency communications technology for emergency underground mine communications. Medium frequency communications systems do not require a powered underground infrastructure to be installed for operation, and may therefore provide a higher degree of survivability after a mine disaster than other types of systems.  (PDF, 407 KB, 2012)

A surface network system using off-the-shelf components, consisting of two Motorola Canopy Subscriber Modules (SMs), one Canopy Access Module (AP), associated antennas, and legacy video converter, successfully established strategic communications links in a limited mine-simulated environment. When needed, the system could be expanded with additional hardware to establish a communications path over greater distances to link multiple communications devices and other monitor and control devices and their data to a command center (CC). A person with experience in aiming antennas and configuring wireless local area networks would be capable of setting up a secure system in a timely manner, and also address issues relating to obstructions due to local topography and foliage. The CC would be the hub of a secure centralized communications system that could link all the communications devices, data sources, and control functions. In a situation where the normal communications between the surface and underground are interrupted and an alternative communications path to the surface is established, the technology provides a least-cost solution for connecting the alternative communications path to the CC.  (PDF, 323 KB, 2012)

To develop an engineering noise control that reduces roof bolting machine (RBM) operators´ exposure to noise in underground coal mines, thereby decreasing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in RBM operators and other workers in close proximity to RBMs. (PDF, 400 KB, 2012)

NIOSH completed a major redesign of MFIRE. Its outdated programming language was replaced with an object-oriented C++ approach. The program was split into a front-end with a simple graphical-user-interface (GUI), and the MFIRE “engine” back- end, and was rewritten as a discrete event simulation library so it can be used to simulate the progress of mine fires over time, under the control of user inputs through the GUI. (PDF, 383 KB, 2012)