Title: Comparative analysis of compliance with mine ventilation standards by US longwall underground coal mines

Authors: R.L. Grayson, H. Kinilakodi, M. Kweder

Addresses: Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 103A Hosler Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-5000, USA. ' Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 103A Hosler Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-5000, USA. ' Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 103A Hosler Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-5000, USA

Abstract: Because of the Upper Big Branch-South disaster in 2010, this paper examines the mine ventilation-standard compliance performance of all US longwall underground coal mines. Using the new Mine Ventilation Safe Performance Index (MV-SPI), analysis revealed that the best-performing mines had very low elevated-citation rates; 25% of the 40 mines had no closure orders. Results indicate that attaining a high level of compliance with ventilation standards is feasible for large longwall mines. The MV-SPI could be used by mine operators, enforcement agencies, and safety professionals to determine the comparative performance of mines in complying with ventilation standards and to benchmark performances.

Keywords: longwall mining; ventilation standards; standard compliance; MV-CI; mine ventilation compliance index; USA; United States; mine safety; underground coal mines.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMME.2011.041448

International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 2011 Vol.3 No.1, pp.38 - 54

Published online: 23 Jul 2011 *

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