CONTENTSHSA BULLETIN April 1997 CONTENTS O Mining the Internet O Proper preshift exam could have uncovered roof problems O Willingness to go under unsupported roof costly to

HSA BULLETIN April 1997

CONTENTSO Mining the Internet

O Proper preshift exam could have uncovered roof problems

O Willingness to go under unsupported roof costly to miner

O Twentymile sets world production record again

O MSHA extends comment period, schedules public hearings on proposed rule

O Sixth International Mine Ventilation Congress

O JAHSA and HSA to hold National Council meeting July 8-10, 1997

O Battle of the behemoths

O Anatomy of a healthy back

HSA Bulletin April 1997

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Every 30 seconds, someone somewhere is logging on to the Internet for the first time.• A search of mining-related Internet sites last summer found just 24 “hits,” or places of relevant information. One year later, the same search yields 92 matches.• A search of enviromentally-related Internet sites last year found 147 organizations. One year later, the number has mushroomed to 614.

Mining the InternetBy Bob Webster

By now, you’d have to live in awww.cave.org not to have heardabout the Internet or surfed along itsseemingly endless waves of informa-tion. Hailed by some as the greatestrevolution in technology since theprinting press, derided by others asnothing more than an electronicwaste-basket, the age of the Internetis upon us, and it is changing theway we work, research, shop, andplay. And the changes are comingwith lightning speed.

You no longer need to wear apocket protector to surf the Internet.It is no longer the domain oftechnocrats who speak in their often

bizarre mumbo jumbo of bytes,megabytes, or gigabytes. These days,you even probably know a “browser”no longer refers to a windowshopper and “yahoo” is somethingother than a hick from the sticks.

For the cave dwellers, the Internetis a vast international network ofcomputer networks that allowcomputers of all kinds to shareservices and communicate directly, asif they were part of one giant,seamless, global computing machine.

The Internet of today evolvedfrom a computer system built 25years ago by the U.S. DefenseDepartment to allow academic and

military re-searchers tocontinue toperformgovernment workeven if part ofthe computernetwork weredestroyed in anuclear attack.Eventually, theInternet linkeduniversities,governmentfacilities, andcorporationsaround the


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world, all sharing the costs andtechnical work of running the system.

The Internet’s computer networksare connected through telephone,fiber optics, and other high capacitylines so that a user can tap intocomputer systems from Russia toJapan to the United States in a matterof seconds—all without incurringlong distance dialing charges otherthan, at most, a call (usually local)into a computer already connected tothe ‘Net.

The scientists who initially usedthe Internet soon realized that theirsystem was good for more than justofficial business—they began sendingprivate messages (e-mail) and postingnews and information on publicelectronic bulletin boards or newsgroups. But until quite recently, itwas very difficult for ordinarycomputer users to reach the Internet.In addition to needing a passingfamiliarity with complex computerlanguages, casual computer userscould only get to the Internet withthe cooperation of a university orgovernment research lab.

White-hot growthLittle more than two years ago, theInternet remained the relativelypeaceful domain of university andgovernment researchers and scien-

tists. But as publicity about theInternet became white-hot, theInternet became easier to enter,thanks in part to businesses sellingaccess to the system, as well ascomputer service companies, such asAmerica Online and CompuServe,which have made it possible formillions of subscribers to reach partsof the Internet.

This sudden rush of new usershas helped spotlight the Internet inthe center ring of pop culture andcommerce. Today, “surfing the ‘Net”has become a national pastime. Notsurprisingly, the business community,including a number of miningcompanies, has been quick to adoptthe Internet.

Now, the Internet is used forliterally anything and everything. Andthis, some Internet experts say, hasspawned an overload of informationthat may eventually send the wholecyberworld crashing like a house ofcards.

“The Internet is a really coolthing, but people have to rememberit wasn’t built to do what it’s doingtoday,” high-tech guru Bob Metcalferecently told U.S. News & WorldReport. “The Internet is about tocollapse.”

Indeed, the Internet is undergoinggrowing pains. And for good reason.

Every 30 seconds, someone some-where is logging on to the Internetfor the first time. Determining theactual numbers of Internet users is,at least for now, nothing more thanan educated guessing game.

Over the past year, according tosome experts, the number of Internetusers has jumped to 26 million.Other, more conservative, estimatesplace the number of users at about 6million. Typically, the number ofInternet users has been inflated, withsome guesses as high as 57 millionpeople.

Expectations are that with majorcomputer, software, cable andtelephone companies offering easieraccess, the number of Internet usersshould grow substantially in comingyears. Vinton Cerf, recognized bymany as the “father of the Internet,”estimates that as many as 160 millionpeople will have access to theInternet by the year 2000. “I’m not atall shy about predicting that by 2005,the Internet will be as big as thetelephone system is today,” herecently told The Wall Street Journal.

Much of the growth of theInternet is due to the popularity ofthe World Wide Web, a portion of theInternet that allows users to receivegraphics, audio, and even animationon their computer screens—a vastimprovement over the typical text-onlyformat of the Internet.

The World Wide Web (WWW)was begun in 1989 by scientists at aSwiss research institute who sought abetter way to give researchers accessto shared information. Material onthe Web is arranged in “homepages,” so called because photos andillustrations, text, maps and graphicscan be combined on the computerscreen in what looks like a pagefrom a magazine.

One of the strengths of the Webis its ease of use and the links withinWWW documents that can take usersquickly to other related documents.Information is retrieved by clickinghighlighted phrases on the screen to

More andmorecompanies areexpandingtheir publicrelationsefforts toinclude siteson theinternet.


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jump immediately to another relatedsite on a computer possibly thou-sands of miles away. The Web is aworldwide network of linked filesfrom industry, government anduniversities which enable a user to

follow a thread of thought through allkinds of information.

Let’s go surfin’ nowThink of the Internet as a giantlibrary—with all the books scattered

on the floor. No Dewey DecimalSystem. Nada. Zip. Zero. That’s thechaos that confronted cybersurfersabout two years ago. But entrepre-neurs, lured by the gold-rushmentality that has permeated

Click here for more information

The list of mining-related Internet sites is growing at a fast clip. Here is a look at some current sites of interest. If youdon’t see your company or organizatlon listed, feel free to e-mail us at www.msha.gov.

Organization (usually.org)National Mining Associationhttp://www.nma.orgThe United Mine Workers ofAmericahttp://www.access.digex.net/~miner/index.htmlThe Center for Energy & EconomicDevelopmenthttp://www.conx.com/ceedNevada Mining Associationhttp://www.nevadamining.orgGeorgia Mining Associationhttp://www.mindspring.com/gaminingCopper Development Associationhttp://www.copper.orgAmerican Institute of Mining,Metallurgical and PetroleumEngineershttp://www.smenet.orgThe Northwest Mining Associationhttp://www.ior.com.nwmaGeological Society of Americahttp://www.geosociety.orgThe Chamber of Mines and Energyof Western Australiahttp://www.mineralswa.asn.auThe Chamber of Mines of SouthAfricahttp//www.bullion.org.za

Companies (usually.com)Ashland Coal Inc.http//invest.quest.columbus.oh.us/InvestQuest/a/aciBarrick Gold Corporationhttp//www.barrick.comCambior Inc.http//www.cambior.com

Caterpillar Inc.http//www.CAT.comCenturion Mines Corporationhttp//www.xmission.com/~centurio/centurion.htmlDetroit Diesel Corporationat http://www.detdiesel.com.Echo Bay Mineshttp//www.echobay.comGlamis Gold Itd.http://www.glamis.comHemlo Gold Mines Explorationhttp://marathon.lakeheadu.ca/~hgmexp/index.htmlHomestake Mining Companyhttp://www.homestake.comKaiser Aluminum Corporationhttp://www.kaiseral.comMAPCOhttp:/Asww.mapcoinc.comNewmont Mining Companyhttp://www.newmont.comPeabody Holding Company, Inc.http://www.PeabodyGroup.com/Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co.http://www.chevron.com/operations/pandm/index.htmlPittston Coal Companyhttp://www.pittston.com/Phelps Dodge Corporationhttp://www.irin.com/pdRoyal Silver Mineshttp://www.xmission.com/~centurio/royal.html

Government (usually.gov)Mine Safety and HealthAdministrationhttp://www.msha.govOffice of Surface Mininghttp://www.osmre.gov

U.S. Geological Surveyhttp://www.usgs.govEnvironmental Protection Agencyhttp://www.epa.govU.S. Bureau of Mineshttp://www.usbm.govThe White Househttp://www.whitehouse.govThe Public Utilities Commission ofOhiohttp://www.puc.state.oh.gov

Universities (usually.edu)Wed Virginia Universiq MiningExtension Servicehttp://www.wvu.edu/~minext/New Mexico Institute of Mining andTechnologyhttp://www.nmt.eduColorado School of Mineshttp://www.mines.eduSouth Dakota School of Mines andTechnologyhttp://www.sdsmt.eduUniversiq of Missouri-Rolla Schoolof Mineshttp://www.umr.edu

OthersThe Northern Minerhttp://www.northernminer.comMineNethttp://www.microserve.net/~doug/Info-Minehttp://www.info-mine.com/United Mine Workers of Americahttp://www.access.digex.net/~miner/index.html/The Illinois Coal Home Pagehttp://www.cushmanpr.com/illinois-coal/


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Lost in cyberspace

In the real world, organizations open for business and sometimes go out of business. People live; people die.

Not so on the Internet, where the Timothy Leary home page is still up and running, months after the psychedelic-turned-cyber guru died. So, too, lives the Bureau of Mines (http://www.usbm. org), despite having been shuttered earlier this year. Among other information on the Bureau's home page are the electronic resumes of former employees.

everything Internet, have beenworking overtime to make searchingthe Internet a snap.

“Search engines” now make iteasy to track down any informationanywhere on the Internet. Simply typein a subject or key word and, inmoments, these tools will generate acomplete list of “hits” on yourcomputer screen. To view the Websites your search engines have found,you’ll need a “browser,” or aprogram that allows you to enter Webaddresses and view their contents.Among the most popular browserscurrently are Netscape Navigator and

Microsoft’sInternetExplorer.

Web-basedsearch engineslike Lycos (http://www.lycos.com)and Alta Vista(http://altavista.digital.com) canseek out themost obscureinformation anddeliver it to yourscreen. If youare not lookingfor a needle in ahaystack, youmight tryrummagingthrough databasedirectories, suchas Yahoo! (http://www.yahoo.com)

or Magellan (http://www.mckinley.com).Directories offer broad subject areas,such as business, economy, sports,health, entertainment, and employ-ment and then narrow the focus intosubcategories.

Sure, cyberspace is cluttered witha lot of junk—and the refuse isgrowing by the minute. But there aremany gems out there waiting to bediscovered and used. Have a passionfor habañero peppers? There’s ahome page devoted to the fierychilies. Want to know tomorrow’s

weather in Columbus, Ohio? Checkthe online forecast. Want to know theincident rate for nonfatal mininginjuries? Link up to the Mine Safetyand Health Administration’s Web site.

Mining in cyberspaceThe world of commerce has beenquick to grasp the marketing potentialof the Internet. To date, however, theInternet has not proven to be a boonfor cyber-commerce, as questions aboutsecurity have dampened the willingnessof shoppers to send their credit cardnumbers into the void. This hurdle, likeeverything associated with the Internet,should change in the very near future,experts say.

As a tool to educate and inform,though, the Internet has proven useful,and mining companies have joinedtheir counterparts in other industries touse this new medium. A search ofmining-related Internet sites lastsummer found just 24 “hits,” or placesof relevant information. One year later,the same search yields 92 matches, andthe numbers continue to grow.

Just as mining companies havediscovered the power of the Internet, sotoo have environmental advocates, whowere even quicker to jump online.

A search of environmentally-relatedInternet sites last year found 147organizations. One year later, thenumber has mushroomed to 614. Mostof the sites serve as electronicclearinghouses of environmental newsand alerts. Some are general, such asthe sites for the Sierra Club, NaturalResources Defense Council and theWilderness Society. Others offer targetedinformation, such as a site organized byHelp Preserve the Grand Canyon.

Caterpillar Inc., a major manufac-turer of mining and constructionequipment, launched its Internet site(http://www.CAT.com) in April, 1996, to“enhance our efforts to reach currentand prospective users of our productsand channel them to our dealers,”explains Barry Clough, Caterpillar’smarketing support manager.

The Caterpillar home page, like

many industry sites, contains companyinformation and news, financial reports,employment opportunities and adescription of services and products. Inaddition, the Cat site allows users tofind the location and phone number oftheir nearest Caterpillar dealer simplyby typing in a zip code in the UnitedStates or a country name in other partsof the world.

“We view the Web as an importantnew means of interacting with thegeneral public,” Clough says. “Whetheryou are a customer, financial analyst,or job seeker, the Caterpillar homepage enables you to quickly interactwith Caterpillar.”

Geophysicists at Newmont GoldCompany created a home page for theDenver-based gold mining company lastyear. With geoscientists stationedaround the world, the Internet offeredan efficient way to keep in touch.“We’re using it primarily as a commu-nications tool within the company,” saysBruno Nilsson, Newmont’s director ofgeophysics, and one of the creators ofthe company’s Internet site (http://www.newmont.com).

“Since Newmont has officesthroughout the world from Lima toBeijing, the different time zones oftenmake telephone and fax communica-tions impractical. E-mail and accessingthe home page are much faster, andthey make it easier to work withgeophysical data,” Nilsson says.

Newmont’s site includes electroniclinks to Internet sites of interests togeologists, including the GeophysicsHome Page and the Geology HomePage, as well as historic illustrationsfrom De Re Metallica.

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation putits home page “Kaiser Online” on theWorld Wide Web earlier this year. Thesite (http://www.kaiseral.com) isdesigned to make information aboutKaiser more readily available tocustomers, financial analysts, sharehold-ers, the media and other importantaudiences. The site “serves as aconvenient resource for anyoneinterested in Kaiser Aluminum, its


5products, services and corporatestrengths,” says Robert W. Irelan,Kaiser’s corporate vice president ofpublic relations.

In addition to a corporate overviewand listing of Kaiser locations, the siteincludes recent news releases, contactinformation and an order form forfinancial reports. “This is really just thebeginning, though,” Irelan says. “Wewill continuously update the site as newinformation becomes available, and wewill incorporate new elements thatbetter meet the needs of those who useour home page.”

The Internet is proving to serve asan important connection to potentialinvestors and the investment commu-nity. Detroit Diesel Corporation, whichmakes diesel engines for mining andother equipment, has focused itsInternet site (http://det-diesel.com) withinvestors in mind.

“The Internet’s role as an on-linefinancial investment alternative isgrowing exponentially,” says Ursel T.Dougherty, vice president of investorrelations. “We initiated Detroit Diesel’spresence on the World Wide Web withthe initial focus on providing a new andexciting communications tool for ourstockholders and the financialcommunity at large.”

The company’s site containsmaterial with an initial focus onfinancial and market information, aswell as background material on thecompany. Later, Dougherty says, the sitewill be expanded to include specificproduct information.

Homestake Mining Company, of SanFrancisco, created its Internet site(http://www.homestake.com) fourmonths ago primarily to reach the wideaudience of individual investors. So far,the site has attracted an average of400-500 “hits” each month, with a highof 900 people one month, says MichaelSteeves, Homestake’s director ofinvestor relations. “We feel it is reallygrowing,” Steeves says, adding thatHomestake’s site has attracted investorsas well as a number of reportersseeking information about the company

and its operations. “We’ve been veryhappy.”

The Homestake site contains acorporate overview, recent newsreleases and filings with the Securitiesand Exchange Commission, as well asan electronic version of the most recentcompany annual report. Also includedare the company’s current environmen-tal, health and safety report, a globalmap of Homestake locations and linksto other mining-related sites.

The desire to keep retail investorsas up-to-date as institutional investorsalso brought Toronto-based BarrickGold Corporation to the Internet inNovember, 1995, says Sandra Scott,Barrick’s director of investor relations.“Our primary audience was the retailinvestor. There was a lot of concernthat institutional investors were gettingtheir news about the company quicker.So this need to include the retailinvestor to have access was what led usto the ‘Net,” Scott says.

Although Barrick’s site has provenpopular among retail investors, Scottsays she was surprised to find anumber of European and Asianinstitutional investors using the site togather financial information. “We didn’trealize that they felt out of the loop aswell,” she says.

Peabody Holding Company, Inc.,based in St. Louis, Mo., became one ofthe growing numbers of coal miningcompanies with an Internet presencewhen its site appeared in June, 1996.The site (http://www.PeabodyGroup.com/)contains news and information aboutPeabody and its subsidiaries. Inaddition to company news andoverviews, Peabody’s site containselectronic links to other sources of coalinformation, including the ElectricPower Research Institute and theEnergy Information Administration. Thesite also features links to the web sitesof a host of government agencies andseveral coal-burning electric utilities,including American Electric PowerCompany.

Tulsa-based MAPCO Inc.’s homepage (http://mapcoinc.com/coal.html)

offers a unique feature among mininghome pages—a complete listing of itson-campus recruiting schedule. The sitealso highlights employment opportuni-ties at MAPCO, as well as an electronicnewsletter of company events, newsreleases, financial information, andstock prices. MAPCO also offers a funlook at Tulsa.

The Public Utilities Commission ofOhio (PUCO) has found the Internet tobe a useful vehicle to distribute issue-oriented material. A portion of its Inter-net site (http://www.puc.state.oh.gov) isdedicated to detailed information aboutglobal climate change. Visitors to thesite will have access to the science,chronology, acronyms and definitionsassociated with this issue. “The Internetand the PUCO’s home page provide agreat opportunity to educate the peopleof Ohio as well as the country and theworld on this vital topic,” says JeffLogan, who designed the climatechange section.

With growing numbers of peopleaccessing the Internet, and more andmore companies creating their ownInternet presence, primarily on theWorld Wide Web, many cyber—observers believe that a home page onthe Internet soon will become ascommon as a fax machine in today’soffice place.

“I feel this is the most effective toolfor a company to reach people,” saysHomestake’s Steeves, noting that a lotof his company’s competitors also havetaken—or are contemplating taking—the leap into cyberspace.

Barrick’s Scott agrees. “We wereled to the ‘Net because we explore allnew technologies,” she says. “Not a lotof companies were on the ‘Net a yearago. Now, you look at business cardsand a lot of people have Internetaddresses. We really believe it’s goingto be the wave of the future.”

Reprinted from the July-August 1996issue of the National MiningAssociation’s MiningVoice.


6 Proper preshift exam could haveuncovered roof problemsAn adequate preshift examinationshould have uncovered unstable roofwhere a miner was killed lastOctober in a Kentucky miningaccident.

The victim, a 25-year-old minerwith seven years’ experience, wastramming a Joy 21SC shuttle car tothe continuous miner, located at theright pillar block in the No. 5 entry.A rock measuring approximately 50inches by 60 inches and 2 to 4inches thick fell from the mine roof

and struck him in the abdomen.Nobody witnessed the accident. A

continuous miner helper noticed thatthe victim’s shuttle car was stoppedin the No. 5 entry, one crosscutoutby the continuous miner. He wentto see if there was a problem andfound him pinned in the operator’scompartment by a roof fall. Threepeople assisted in removing the rock.

The conclusion was that theaccident occurred because there wasinadequate roof support in the No. 5entry.

It was also determined that anadequate pre-shift examination wasnot conducted. The area had visibleloose rock and roof bolts withmissing plates, and the heads hadbeen missing for some time,evidenced by rust, the report said.

Reprinted from the Feb. 21, 1997 editionof Mine Safety and Health News byLegal Publication Services.

Willingness to go underunsupported roof costly to minerFailing to comply with the roofcontrol plan and going underunsupported roof led to seriousinjuries for an Illinois miner last July.

The victim, a continuous miningoperator with 24 years’ miningexperience, had mined a crosscutbetween two entries. Upon completingthe crosscut, he trammed thecontinuous miner by remote controlinby toward the face, which wasmined approximately 11 feet inby thecrosscut.

As the miner walked alongsidethe machine, he was struck andpinned by a portion of mine roofmeasuring 8 feet long, 8 feet wideand up to 16 inches thick that fellfrom the unsupported crosscut.

The section foreman, whowitnessed the accident, and thecontinuous haulage operator triedunsuccessfully to remove some of therock. Eventually people were able toremove the rock. The injured minerwas transported and treated for a

fracture of the lower left leg, afractured right leg, fractured pelvis,fractured right collar bone andnumerous cuts and abrasions.

The mine was cited for allegedlyaltering the scene of the accident andfor not complying with the approvedroof control plan.

Reprinted from the Feb. 21, 1997 editionof Mine Safety and Health News byLegal Publication Services.

Twentymile sets world productionrecord againCyprus Amax Minerals’ Twentymileunderground mine set a worldproduction record for coal mined ina single month with one longwall.The new record, set in August, was

810,049 tons of clean coal. This beatthe previous record, 708,689 tons,produced by ARCO Coal’s West Elkmine. The August production recordis the fifth world record for

Twentymile since 1994.

Reprinted with permission from theJanuary 1997 issue of Intertec PublishingCorp’s CoalAge magazine.


7MSHA extends comment period,schedules public hearings onproposed ruleMSHA is extending the commentperiod until April 21 for the agency’sproposed rule for occupational noiseexposure, which was published in theFederal Register on December 17,1996.

MSHA also announced that itintends to hold public hearings onthe proposal. All requests to make

oral presentations for the recordshould be submitted at least 5 daysprior to each hearing date. However,you do not have to give a writtenrequest to be provided an opportunityto speak. The public hearings arescheduled to be held at the followinglocations on the dates indicated:

Hearing Oral presentationdate request date• May 6, Beckley, W.Va. ......... April 2• May 8, St. Louis, Mo. ............ May 1• May 13, Denver, Colo. .......... May 6• May 15, Las Vegas, N.V. ....... May 8• May 20, Atlanta, Ga. ............ May 13• May 22, Washington, DC .... May 15

Sixth International Mine VentilationCongressAchievements and challengesMay 18-22, 1997, The Doubletree Hotel—Pittsburgh, PA

The convening of the InternationalMine Ventilation Congress (IMVC)provides an international forum forthe open exchange of informationand ideas in the field of mineventilation and air contaminantcontrol. Since the first IMVC inJohannesburg, South Africa in 1975,Congress has provided an opportunityfor ventilation professionals, mineoperators, academics, consultants,labor, and government to meet,review and debate the state-of-the-artin mine ventilation, environmentalcontrol and monitoring, fires,explosions, and those allied disci-plines impacting upon the health andsafety of the miner. As with previousmeetings, the Sixth IMVC will beaugmented with pre- and post-Congress field trips to mine proper-ties, pre-Congress informationalseminars in various aspects of mine

ventilation and environmental control,and exhibits by manufacturers ofventilation and monitoring equipment.

Technical presentations will bemade by authors from over 20countries. These papers will cover awide range of subjects includingDiesels, Dust Control, MethaneControl, Emergencies, Fires andSpontaneous Combustion, Heat andHumidity, Monitoring and Control,Ventilation Planning and Design,Computer/Systems Analysis, FaceVentilation, Ventilation Components,and Tunnel Ventilation. A number ofcase studies will also be presented.

Who are the sponsorsThe Sixth IMVC is being sponsoredjointly by the Mine Safety and HealthAdministration (U.S. Department ofLabor), National Institute forOccupational Safety and Health (U.S.

Department of Health and HumanServices), National Mining Associa-tion, United Mine Workers ofAmerica, United Steel Workers ofAmerica, and the Society for Mining,Metallurgy and Exploration.

Who should attendAnyone having responsibilities orinterest in the field of mine ventila-tion and air contaminant controlshould attend. These include mineoperators, engineers, industrialhygienists, representatives of labororganizations and trade associations,and representatives at all levels ofgovernment.

Conference at a glanceSaturday, May 17Pre-Congress Field Trips (Byreservation)


8Sunday, May 18Pre-Congress SeminarsReception with Exhibitors

Monday, May 19Opening SessionTechnical SessionBuffet Lunch (Included)

Tuesday, May 20Technical SessionsBuffet Lunch (Included)Forum for Mine Ventilation Educators

Wednesday, May 21Technical Sessions

Thursday, May 22Buffet Lunch (Included)Banquet (Included) TechnicalSessionsClosing Session

Friday, May 23Post-Congress Field Trips

For further information call EdwardMiller at the Mine Safety and HealthAdministration (703) 235-1590 or byE-Mail at [email protected] or PamWagner at Courtesy Associates (202)347-6109.

Short coursesAdvantage is being taken of thepresence of several experts duringthe Congress to present six seminarson topics of great importance tomine ventilation and health and safetyprofessionals. Speakers for theseseminars are from government,industry and academia and willpresent the results of recent researchand new practices to addresscontinuing and emerging problems intheir respective areas. These seminarswill be held on Sunday, May 18,1997 in Pittsburgh, PA. The fee foreach seminar is $150.00 and willcover the costs of arrangements andmaterials.

Seminar #1 Respirable DustControl in the Mineral Industry

Coordinator: Robert A. Jankowski,Pittsburgh Research Center, USAThe main topics to be covered in theseminar include: health concernsfrom mine dusts; continuous minerdust controls; longwall dust controls;surface mine dust controls; non-coal/metal-non-metal dust control;mineral processing/preparation plantdust control; dust sampling, andexpert systems.

Seminar #2 Spontaneous Com-bustion in Coal MinesCoordinator: A.D. Stewart Gillies,University of Queensland, AustraliaMajor topics to be covered in theseminar include case studies ofspontaneous combustion incidentsand the handling of heatings;approaches to prediction throughunderground measurement; labora-tory testing of coals for prediction ofspontaneous combustion propensityand modeling of heatings; regulationand role of the inspectorate; sealingof old working areas to preventheatings and after incidences.

Seminar #3 Diesel ExhaustEmission Control in UndergroundMinesCoordinator: Jan M. Mutmansky, ThePennsylvania State University, USAThe seminar topics include: healthand safety issues with diesel-poweredequipment in mining environment;ventilation requirements and ambientair quality control technology; thestate-of-the-art diesel exhaust controltechnologies; approval and certifica-tion requirements for diesel equip-ment; air quality measurement—gases and particulates, and mineplanning, ventilation planning andequipment deployment for exposurereduction and control.

Seminar #4 Ventilation andCooling Requirements for Deepand Hot MinesCoordinator: Frank H. von Glehn,Bluhm Burton Engineering (Pty),South Africa

This workshop includes briefdescriptions on the following topicswith general discussions around casestudies: sources of heat in mines;primary ventilation issues; air coolingstrategies, refrigeration systems andrelated issues; and future trends/novelmethods.

Seminar #5 Improved FaceVentilation Practices for Under-ground MinesCoordinator: Edward D. Thimons,Pittsburgh Research Center, USAThe topics to be covered include: jetfan use in metal, non-metal mines;spray fan systems; conventionalextended cut coal mine ventilation;face methane monitoring; rollbackproblems with scrubber systems; useof curtains in continuous miner andlongwall faces.

Seminar #6 Mine Fires andExplosions—Overview andDemonstrationsCoordinator: Charles P. Lazzara,Pittsburgh Research Center, USAThis workshop, to be conducted inFairchance, PA, includes: an overviewof Lake Lynn laboratory hazardrecognition training; flammability ofconveyor belting and ventilationducting, mine fire detection; explo-sion resistant mine seals, and minefire fighting resources. It alsoincludes: underground mine tour,coal/belt fire detection demonstration,coal dust explosion in cannon gallery—quarry area; large-scale verticalventilation duct fire demonstrations—quarry area; and conveyor belt firedemonstration in surface fire gallery -quarry area.

Technical programIn addition to the Opening, Keynoteand Closing Sessions, TechnicalSessions will be presented in theareas of Diesels, Dust Control,Methane Control, Emergencies, Firesand Spontaneous Combustion, Heatand Humidity, Monitoring andControl, Ventilation Planning and


9Design, Computer/Systems Analysis,Face Ventilation, Ventilation Compo-nents, and Tunnel Ventilation. SeveralCase Studies will also be presented.Accepted papers in each of theseareas include:

Diesels:“Diesel Emissions ControlStrategy at Inco” by Jozef S.Stachulak and Bruce R.Conrad(CANADA).

“Sampling and Analysis forExposure in Diesel ExhaustParticulate in the Mining Work-place” by Michel Grenier, MahendraGangal, Keith Olson, and BruceCantrell (CANADA).

“Evaluation of Diesel ParticulateExposure and Control in aNonmetal Mine” by Robert Haney,Kenneth Fields, and Scott Vail (USA).

“Results of Field Studies onStratification of Diesel ParticulateMatter in Mine Openings” by JanM. Mutmansky, Vivek Goyal, andWenhua Wan (USA).

“A Study on In-Situ Measurementand Evaluation of Diesel Particu-late Matter” by Bok-youn Kim(KOREA).

Dust control:“Radiation Integrated Program”by C.A. Rawlins (SOUTH AFRICA).

“Blast-Induced Dust” by J. Partykaand J. Szymanski (CANADA).

“Dust Contamination of Panel/Intake Air” by Peikun Liu and R.V.Ramani (USA).

“Dust Extraction in HeadingsEffected by Means ofRotodynamic Ventilation Ducts”by Walenty Frydel(POLAND).

“Status of Dust Control Technol-

ogy of U.S. Longwalls” by Jay F.Colinet, Ellsworth R. Spencer, andRobert A. Jankowski (USA).

“Relationships Between CoalProperties and Respirable DustGeneration Potential” by R.Srikanth and R.V. Ramani (USA).

“Evaluating the Relationships ofArea vs. Personal Sampling Usinga Computer Model” by G. Sun andR.V. Ramani (USA).

“Evaluation of a Two-Phase SpraySystem for Airborne DustSuppression” by Bharath K. Belleand R.V. Ramani (USA).

“Dust Control at Koolyanobbing”by Tan Zhenxiang (WESTERNAUSTRALIA).

Methane control:“Control and Monitoring of Gasin Blind Auger Headings” by JonC. Volkwein (USA).

“Impact of High-Capacity Ma-chine-Mounted, Scrubbers onFace Methane Concentrations” byC. Taylor, J. Rider, and E. Thimons(USA).

“Prevention and Suppression ofMethane Ignitions at RoadHeaders” by R. Pollak, M. Faber, I.Gastberg, and W.E. Marx (GER-MANY).

“The Computational Modeling ofMethane Emission ThroughAdjacent Strata Around LongwallCoal Face” by Ting Xiang Ren andJ.S. Edwards (UNITED KINGDOM).

“Simulation Based DegasificationSystem Design for the Shihaoand Datong Mines of theSongzao Coal Mining Administra-tion in Sichuan China” by Daniel J.Brunner, Jeff Schwoebel, Jianliang Li,Ming Sun, Guangyan Ye, and Miao He(USA).

“Advanced Calculation of theAmount of Methane Degassingfrom a Longwall Based on aMathematical-Physical Model” byPer Nicolai Martens (GERMANY).

“Modeling of Gas Circulation inthe Goaf of Retreat Coalfaces” byChristian Tauziedi, ZbigniewPokryszka, Remi Bouet, and AndreCarrau (FRANCE).

“Application of Coalbed MethaneReservoir Simulations forEstimation of Methane Emissionsin Longwall Mining” by Michael D.Zuber and S.A. Golditch (USA).

“A Physical Scale Model of Flowsin the Waste” by A.D. Jones, Z.Pokryszka, S. Lowrie, C, Tauziede,and P.M. Dupond (SCOTLAND).

“Modeling Methane Migration inLongwall Gobs During Mining” byDong Liu and Thomas Novak (USA).

“Drilling Oil and Gas WellsThrough Gobs” by James G. Tilton(USA).

“Worldwide Methane Emissionsfrom Underground Coal Mining”by Abou Saghafi (AUSTRALIA).

“Methane Drainage from GassyMines - A Global Review” byPramod C. Thakur (USA).

“Methane Emissions DuringExtended Cut Sequences in aRoom-and-Pillar Coal Mine” bySteven J. Schatzel, Fred Garcia, andJohn K. Marshall (USA).

“Analysis and Prediction ofLongwall Methane Emissions: ACase Study in the Pocahontas No.3 Coalbed, Virginia” by William P.Diamond and Fred Garcia (USA).

Emergencies:“The Airblast Problem in the


10Underground Orepasses of P.T.Freeport Indonesia” by Malcolm J.McPherson and Nigel Pearson (USA).

“Testing of Active Ignition On-board Suppression Systems forUse in South African Collieries”by Jan Du Pleissis, Jan W.Oberholzer, and D.J. Bryden (SOUTHAFRICA).

“Control of Miner VentilationSystems During Fire-Extinguish-ing” by B.A. Griaduschy, I.E. Bolbat,and P.S. Pashcovsky (UKRAINE).

“A Numerical Simulation ofSpontaneous Combustion of Coalin Goaf or in Fissures” by JosefWaclawik, Dr. Marian Branny, andDr. Janusz Cygankie (POLAND).

“Investigation Into the Influencesof Post Detonation Fumes on theExplosibility of Sulphide Dust” byA.D.S. Gillies, Yunsheng Yao, and P.Golledge (AUSTRALIA).

“Non-Disruptive Testing of StenchGas Emergency Warning Systemswith a Surrogate Tracer Gas” byStephen G. Hardcastle (CANADA).

“The Introduction of Self-RescueDevices in South African Mines”by Michael J. Martinson (SOUTHAFRICA).

“Evaluation of a Self-ContainedAir supply System for Under-ground Mine Refuge Stations” byMichel Grenier, John Vergunst, andEarl Gardiner (CANADA).

“Improvements in the State-of-the-Art in Mine Rescue andRecovery Operations” by John G.Kovac, Wayne H. Duerr, and JeffreyH. Kravitz (USA).

“An Explosibility Risk IndicatingMethod” by Jan W. Oberholzer andA. De Kock (SOUTH AFRICA).

“Cryogenic System for QuickDewatering of Inundated Under-ground Mines - A New Concept”by B.C. Bhowmick, More Ramula,and B.B. Shar (INDIA).

“Activities Surrounding theExplosion at the EndeavourColliery” by Ian C. Anderson, JohnE. Urosek, and Clete R. Stephan(AUSTRALIA).

Fires and spontaneouscombustion“Mine Fire Detection under ZeroAirflow Conditions” by John C.Edwards, Gene F. Friel, Robert A.Franks, and John J. Opferman (USA).

“Three Phase Foam Productionfor Spontaneous CombustionFighting in Underground Mines”by Michael Michaylov (BULGARIA).

“Fire Fighting in Deep, Narrow,Tubular, Metalliferous MinesUsing the GAG-3A Inert GasGenerator System” by M. Biffi,D.M. Walters, L.J. de Villiers, andC.M. van der Vyver (SOUTH AFRICA).

“Inertization as Means forReducing Down Times and theExplosion Risk in Cases ofSpontaneous Combustion” by Dr.Walter Hermulheim and Dr. -Ing.Klaus-Diter Beck (GERMANY).

“The Optimization of NitrogenInfusion Technology” by AloisAdamus and Jaroslav Vleck (CZECHREPUBLIC).

“Barometric Pressure Influencein Mine Fire Sealing” by William J.Francart and Dennis A. Beiter (USA).

“Spontaneous CombustionExperience at Cyprus ShoshoneCoal Mine” by Thomas H. Koenningand Jim Boulton (USA).

“Research into the Problem ofSpontaneous Combustion of

Coal” by Ting Xiang Ren and J.S.Edwards (UNITED KINGDOM).

“Fire Risk Assessment of CoalSeams of Jharia Coalfield” by D.C.Panigrahi, Alok Ojha, and G.Udayabhanu (INDIA).

Heat and humidity“Air Temperature and Humidityin Dead-End Headings withAuxiliary Ventilation” by VelikoKertikov (BULGARIA).

“Climate Control on HighProduction Retreating LongwallCoalfaces in Strata TemperaturesExceeding 42 C at HarworthColliery” by M.A. Tuck, P. Shead,and S.J. Parking (UNITED KINGDOM).

“Computer Simulation of ClimaticConditions in Rapid DevelopmentDrivages” by A.J. Ross, M.A. Tuck,M.R. Stokes, and I.S. Lowndes(UNITED KINGDOM).

“The Development of a PersonalResponse Heat Stress MeterCalibrated to the Physiology ofthe Range of Employees withinthe Mine Workplace” by Hsin WeiWu and A.D.S. Gillies (AUSTRALIA).

“Heat Stress Protection inAbnormally Hot Environments” byP.C. Schutte and A.J. Kielbock(SOUTH AFRICA).

“Towards a Safe Heat StressControl Strategy for Mines” byM.J. Howes and C.A. Nixon (UNITEDKINGDOM).

“A Generalized Problem of Heatand Mass Transfer in RockMasses” by V.P. Chernyak and A.S.Polubinsky (UKRAINE).

“Ventilation and Air-Conditioningof ‘Meden Rid’ Mine in OreMining Beneath 1000 m inDepth” by Todor Stefanov andGeorgi Shoushoulov (BULGARIA).


11“Modern Refrigeration Practicein the Mining Environment” byC.T. Twort, M.A. Tuck, and I.S.Lowndes (UNITED KINGDOM).

“Temperature and Humidity ofCooled Air in Mining Gallerieswith Direct Ventilation” byBernard Nowak, Krzystof Filek, andAnindya Sinha (POLAND).

Monitoring and control“Integrated Mine VentilationManagement Systems” by StephenHardcastle (CANADA).

“Windows Based Computer DataAcquisition and Control SystemProvides Cost/PerformanceBenefits for Mine-Wide Monitor-ing” by Albert Ketler (USA).

“Results of 1994 AtmosphericMonitoring Survey in Under-ground Coal Mines” by William J.Francart and Mark J. Schultz (USA).

“Mine Air Distribution Control”by Liu Cheng-si (CHINA).

Ventilation planning anddesign“Ventilation Planning at theAberdeen Mine” by ArchieRichardson and Laine Adair (USA).

“Ventilation Planning at the ElIndio Mine” by Keith G. Wallace, Jr.(USA).

“Case Study: Experiences fromConstruction of a New VentilationSystem for LKABs Kiruna Mine”by Lennart Mukka (SWEDEN).

“Ventilation Design Alternativesfor Underground Placer Minersin the Arctic” by SukumarBandopadhyay, Hanguang Wu, andMichael G. Nelson (USA).

“Research on the EconomicalDesign of a Mine VentilationSystem” by R. Krishna (LUSAKA).

“Darbrook Mine—Case Study” byDr. Roy Moreby (AUSTRALIA).

Computer/systemsanalysis“Development of a Thermody-namic Based Network AnalysisProgram for Designing Under-ground Mine Ventilation Systems”by D.C. Panigrahi and M.K. Singh(INDIA).

“Further Studies on AlternativeMethods of Ventilation UsingComputational Fluid Dynamics(CFD), Full Scale Gallery Testsand Underground Measurements”by K.W. Moloney, M.R. Stokes, andI.S. Lowndes (UNITED KINGDOM).

“Future Configurations of HighOutput Longwall Faces” by M.R.Stokes and M.A. Tuck (UNITEDKINGDOM).

“Analysis of Multi-Fan VentilationDuct Line: Leakage, FrictionFactors, Fan Performance” by JanWolski and Jack Barry (USA).

“Computer Simulation of MineVentilation Disturbed by Firesand Use of Fire Extinguishers” byWaclaw Trutwin, W. Dziurzynski, St.Nawrat, and J. Roszkowski (PO-LAND).

“A Methodology for Design andSimulation of Mine VentilationNetworks” by Pedro MarquesBernardo and Carlos Dinis de Gama(PORTUGAL).

“A System to Monitor a RegulatorPlaced in a Ventilation Networkby Combination of HumanRecognition and ComputerSimulation” by Yuusaku Tominaga(JAPAN).

Face ventilation“Auxiliary Ventilation at HeadingFaces by a Fan” by Kenichi Uchino

(JAPAN).

“Methane Dilution Using HighVolume Scrubbers in a CMSection” by Andrew Stern (USA).

“Operating Fans in Parallel inView of Variable Flow RateOutput” by Eddy J. Jacques andPierre J. Wauters (BELGIUM).

“Experimental Evaluation of theJet Fans for Auxiliary Ventilationin Mines” by I.M. Konduri, M.J.McPherson, and E. Topuz (USA).

“A Study of Jet Fan Aerodynam-ics” by Allan Hall and K.R. Mutama(CANADA).

Ventilation components“Validation Study of the Compu-tational Fluid Dynamics Approachas a Tool for Fan Inlet DuctworkDesign” by A.M. Wala, J.C. Yingling,R. Ray, and J. Zhang (USA).

“Estimation of Leakage Quantityfor Long Auxiliary VentilationSystems” by Pierre Mousset-Jonesand Felipe Calizaya (USA).

“Ground Flow Through LoosenedRock Due to Preceding Miningand Resulting Dangers andRehabilitation in UraniumMining” by Horst Gerhardt (GER-MANY).

“An Analysis of the Data Ob-tained from Ventilation Studiesof Longwall Panels” by L.J.Duckworth and B.S. Prosser (USA).

“Design Considerations for MainExhaust Fan Ductwork at Under-ground Coal Mines” by RichardRay, Jr. (USA).

“The Underground Main FanStudy at the Waste Isolation PilotPlant” by Kirk H. McDaniel (USA).

“Examinations of Bleeder


12Systems” by Jack E. Tisdale andJohn E. Urosek (USA).

“Sizing and Placement of a Menand Materials/Ventilation Shaft atGeneral Soda Ash Partners’Alchem Mine - A Case Study” byJustin Olsen (USA).

“Mine Ventilation: Waste HeatRecovery” by David C. Arthur(CANADA).

“The Feasibility of DistrictRecirculation Ventilation Systemsin Romanian Mining” by on Matei,Roland Moraru, and Gabriel Babut(ROMANIA).

Tunnel ventilation“Current Issues, AlternativeConcepts and Design Criteria forSubway Ventilation Systems” byPaul C. Miclea (USA).

“An In-Depth Study of City ofNiagara Falls Raw Water IntakeTunnel During Summer 1995 inWhich the Contractor, Herbert F.Darling, Inc., Encountered LargeQuantities of H

2S” by Richard R.

Radel and Jack Barry (USA).

“Heat Generation and ClimaticControl in the Operation ofTunnel Boring Machines” by S.J.Bluhm and F.H. von Glehn (SOUTHAFRICA).

Conference RegistrationInformation

(Advance) Received afterReceived by April 15 or at

April 15 ConferenceTechnical

sessions ..... $450.00 ............ $550.00Student

(valid ID) .. $300.00 ............ $300.00Spouse

program .... $150.00 ............ $150.00Seminars 1,2,3,4,5

and 6 .... $150.00 per .. $150.00 per

Payment of the Technical Sessionsincludes admission to all technicalsessions, the Wednesday nightbanquet, all lunches and coffeebreaks, the Sunday night receptionwith the exhibitors and 1 copy of theconference proceedings

Student Option: Full time studentsat accredited institutions are eligibleto register at the student rate.Identification will be required.

For advance reservations, completethe Advance Registration Form andreturn with remittance of the appropri-ate fee by April 15, 1997 to:

RegistrarMine Ventilation Congress6555 15th Street, NWSuite 300Washington, DC 20005

For Advance Registration, paymentmust accompany your form. Remittanceshould be made payable to CourtesyAssociates/MVC by personal or corpor-ate check, or by Visa or Mastercard.

Checks must be drawn on a U.S. bankand payable in U.S. dollars. You areencouraged to register for the Congressin advance. Your registration materialwill be held for you at the AdvanceRegistration Desk.

Accommodations—hotelreservationsA block of rooms has been reservedfor the IMVC participants at theDoubleTree Hotel Pittsburgh. TheDoubleTree Hotel Pittsburgh will bethe center of the IMVC activities. Yourconference experience will beenhanced if you stay in the confer-ence hotel. To make a reservation,please complete the hotel form andmail with one night’s payment to:The DoubleTree Hotel Pittsburgh1000 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15222-3873Tel. (412) 227-4501Fax. (412) 227-4500

Hotel rates:Single: $110.00; Double: $116.00City and state taxes are additional.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION FORMSixth International Mine Ventilation Congress—Pittsburgh, PA, May 18-22, ’97(For clarity, PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE)

NAME__________________________________________________________________Last First

ORGANIZATION__________________________________________________________

ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________City State/Country Zip

TELEPHONE (______)________________ FAX(______)__________________

SPOUSE’S NAME ATTENDING _________________________________________

Mail completed from and registration fees to:Mine Ventilation CongressSuite 300655 15th Street, NWWashington, D.C. 20005

Note: Cancellations of advance registration must be in writing and must bereceived by April 15, 1997. Advance payments will be refunded, less a $25service charge, after the conference.


13

REGISTRATION FORM (please type or print)Name: ________________________________________ Telephone (include area code):____________________________________

Company: ___________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________

City: _____________________________________ State: __________________________ Zip Code:_________________________Meeting Registration Fee of $___________ is enclosed for ___________ persons ($125.00 per person)(LATE REGISTRATION FEE—AFTER MAY 1, 1997—$150.00)Guest Fee (@$75.00 per person) of $___________ is enclosed for (insert no. of guests):___________ personsMark the number of persons attending the following sessions in the appropriate box:(1)l Noise Conservationl Fall Protectionl Developing Video Presentationsl Violence in the Workplacel International Mine Health/Safety Stdsl 42 CFR New Respirator Regulations

(2)l Emergency Planning/Preparednessl Contractor Health and Safetyl Compliancel Safety Awarenessl Hoisting and Rigging Safetyl Your Safety Programl Safety Fashion Show

(3)l Electrical Arc Demonstrationl HCA/Leachingl Stress/Substance Abusel Mine Rescue Training—Year 2000Return registration/payment to:Judy Tate, MSHA, 1100 Commerce,Rm 4C50, Dallas, TX 75242Checks payable to: Holmes Safety Assoc.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

JAHSA and HSA to hold NationalCouncil meeting July 8-10, 1997Theme: “Don’t gamble on safety” Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas, NVThe Joseph A. Holmes SafetyAssociation and the Holmes SafetyAssociation will hold their annualbusiness meeting at the TropicanaHotel in Las Vegas Nevada on July 8-10,1997. Our agenda includesimportant safety and health topicswhich we feel will be of great interestto participants. Mark your calendarand make your reservations today.

Lodging at the Tropicana will be$79. Make your reservations directlywith the Tropicana by calling (702)739-2222 or (800) 634-4000. It isrecommended that all reservations beguaranteed either by advanceddeposit of one night’s lodging or bycredit card. We have reserved ablock of 200 rooms which will beheld until May 1, 1997. Be sure toindicate you are attending the HolmesSafety Association Meeting.

The registration fee is $125 whichincludes a luncheon and banquet. Forguests or spouses not attending themeeting or workshops, the fee is $75for the luncheon and banquet. For anadditional cost, tickets can beobtained for a dinner show at theTropicana.

If you have any questions orwould like additional information,please contact Judy Tate at (214)767-8401, ext. 234.

AgendaTUESDAY, July 8, 199712:00 pm Registration and Vendor3:00 pm HSA and JAHSA Executive

Board Meeting5:00 pm Extravaganza

WEDNESDAY, July 9, 19977:30 am Registration/Refreshments8:30 am Welcome9:00 am Break

Time Track Title9:15 am 1 Noise Conservation

2 Emergency planning andpreparedness

3 Electrical arcingdemonstration

10:45 am 1 Fall protection2 Contractor health and

safety compliance3 HCN/Substance abuse

12:00 pm Lunch at hotel (in-cluded in registration)

WEDNESDAY, July 9, 1997Time Track Title1:30 pm 1 Developing video

presentations2 Safety awareness3 Stress/Substance abuse

3:00 pm 1 Violence in theworkplace

2 Hoisting and riggingsafety

3 Mine rescue training—Year 2000

THURSDAY, July 10, 1997Time Track Title8:00 am 1 International mine

health/safety standards2 Your safety program

9:00 am 1 42 CFR—New respira-tor regulations

2 Safety wear fashionshow

1 :00 pm Lunch (on your own)3:00 pm HSA and JAHSA General

Meetings6:00 pm Social-Cash Bar6:30 pm Banquet (awards,

scholarships, prizes,and entertainment)


14Heavy equipment

Battle of the behemothsManufacturers and producers focus on moving more—with lessBy Russell A. Carter—Western Editor

Is bigger better? In the coal industry,the answer is usually “yes,” particu-larly when the question refers tomining equipment. Fewer, but larger,production machines can reducelabor costs by 15% and raiseproductivity by as much as 30%,according to some estimates. And,although it seems paradoxical, largerequipment may offer improvedflexibility and mobility. A high-capacity wheel loader capable ofloading 240-ton trucks, for example,can fill in for a downed shovel, orquickly move from one face toanother when multi-pit blending isrequired.

There’s a price to pay forincreased digging, loading, andhauling capacity, however. Can lowerunit costs offset the higher price andoperating costs of a larger dragline,shovel, or excavator? Will a mine’sload-haul-dump cycle timing beadversely affected by longer truckwait intervals as three-pass loadingbecomes four- or five-pass? Can haulroads survive the pounding fromheavier equipment and, if a largetruck breaks down, are existingservice facilities able to accommodateit?

These questions have been battedback and forth between operator andmanufacturer for years, and the onlydefinitive answer still appears to be“it depends”—on many factors,ranging from a customer’s productionpriorities, to site requirements andconditions, and even to marketdemand for coal.

Customers often determine thatbigger isn’t always better. There’sstrength in numbers: Production isnot as severely impacted when oneunit of a 20-truck fleet is taken outof service, compared with the 20%loss when one unit of a five-truckfleet goes down. Through designinnovations, equipment suppliersoften can provide other options forreducing operating costs, includinghigher machine reliability, improvedmaintenance, and other features. Newonboard weight-monitoring andvehicle tracking systems can improveproductivity by ensuring that trucksaren’t over- or underloaded, and byallowing units to be deployed whereand when needed. Mining plans andmethods, haul road layout andmaintenance, and other factorssometimes can be adjusted tomaximize the effectiveness of existing

equipment.However, sales figures indicate

that many mines are opting for new,higher-capacity shovels, loaders, andtrucks. Caterpillar estimates thatbetween 1992 and 1994, sales oftrucks in the 141 to 200-ton-capacityrange fell an average of 25%worldwide, while truck purchases inthe 201- to 240-ton category rose by85%. This upsizing trend extends toother primary production andancillary support equipment rangingfrom draglines to bulldozers androad graders.

P&H Mining Equipment has sold50 of its 4100 series electric shovelssince the first unit was commissionedin 1991, and recently began offeringthe 4100A series, which features anextended, beefed-up boom design.Several of Marion Power Shovel Co.’stop-of-the-line 351 M shovels havebeen sold to customers in thePowder River Basin and Canadian tarsands operations. LeTourneau reportsthat 11 of its large, electric-driveL-1800 wheel loaders are now inservice after being introduced in1994. Caterpillar says that deliveriesof its 240-ton capacity, mechanicaldrive 793B model truck have beentwice that of its 789B and 785Bcombined. And Australian coaloperators have been placing multipleorders for new, large draglines.

In response to customer interestin larger equipment, several manufac-turers recently introduced, or are invarious stages of developing, evenbigger or more powerful versions oftheir products. Some of these newunits were on display at MINExpo,including Caterpillar’s 24H miningroad grader, Komatsu America’sD575A2SD bulldozer and Komatsu

KomatsuHaulpak’s930E, the firstof the 300-toncapacity haultrucks, will gointo servicesoon at aPowder RiverBasin coalmine.


15

Haulpak Division’s 930E haul truck.Euclid-Hitachi Heavy Equipment Co.introduced its 262-ton capacity R260hauler, and reportedly soon will offera 300-ton-capacity electric-drivemodel.

Liebherr, which acquired the U.S.truck manufacturer Wiseda in 1995,is working on a 300-ton model as itcontinues to refine its flagship 240-ton truck, the KL-2450. Caterpillar’s793B has been upgraded to a modelC configuration that provides morehorsepower, higher top speed, andother design improvements thatprovide quicker service and improved

reliability.Hydraulic excavators are getting

larger as well, with some of thebiggest units directly competing withrope shovels in terms of bucketcapacity and productivity. Demag andKomatsu, having formed an allianceto market their respective productlines, can provide a well-matchedshovel/truck combination with the1.5-million pound. Demag H485SPexcavator and the 300-ton 930EHaulpak, and recently introduced theH455S, a 1.1 -million pound, 33-cu-yd-capacity model. Demag’s H485SPIcurrently the largest excavator on the

market, has a 46-cu-yd bucketcapacity. Liebherr offers a 585-tonexcavator, the R996 Litronic, andO&K may introduce a 775-ton modelin the future.

Hitachi upgraded its 350-ton-classEX3500 series to the -3 version, whichprovides 2% greater crowd force alongwith an elevated operator’s cab forbetter vision when loading large trucks.The EX3500-3 is the largest excavatormarketed by Hitachi and can bematched with 150- to 190-ton trucks.The company is rumored to bedeveloping a larger model, possibly inthe 1-million-pound class.

Large loaders,such as theLeTourneau L-1800, combinemobility withhigh loadingcapacity. Theelectric-wheeldrive L-1800,which cancarry a 45-cuyd bucket, isthe largestloader of itstype in theworld.

This 1,150-hpKomatsu575A-2 SuperDozer is thelargest of itstype in theworld.


16

Solving the problemsAs with most significant productimprovements, a variety of technologicaladvances had to be achieved beforethese behemoths could move off thedrawing board into prototype form. Inthe case of Haulpak’s 930E truck, aGeneral Electric Transportation SystemsAC drive system, originally developedfor diesel-electric locomotives, wasredesigned and adapted as a motorized-wheel drive control system for offhighway trucks. Haulpak settled on theGE system after looking at potential AC-drive candidates for about eight years.

Other technological breakthroughsrequired to develop the truck includedBridgestone’s new 48/95R57 radial tire,capable of handling an 80-ton load pertire; and the MTU/Detroit Diesel jointventure’s 16-cylinder engine, rated at2,682 hp, to power the unit.

Better design tools also havecontributed to product development.P&H Mining Equipment has used finite-element analysis software for years todesign its products, and put its FEAsoftware to good use in developing the

4100 series shovel design.Harnischfeger engineers first generateda bar and beam model of the entireelectric shovel assembly to determineloads on various components—whichcan be significant, considering themachine’s working weight of 2,375,000pound and 82.5-ton bucket payloadcapacity. The resulting information wasthen used in conjunction with moredetailed models to ensure the structuralintegrity of the finished product. TheFEA tools were particularly important inanalyzing stresses on the boom anddipper components.

As part of Liebherr’s move to boostdesign capabilities and productioncapacity at the former Wiseda truckfactory (now known as Liebherr MiningTruck) in Kansas, it installed a newCAD/CAM system that likewise allowsengineers to apply FEA techniques forstress analysis, which is of singularimportance in refining the design of anew 300-ton truck model currentlyunder development.

Wiseda claimed to be the first tooffer a 2,500-hp diesel engine in itshaulers; Liebherr now is studyingengine options from MTU/DDC andothers to power the new 300-tonmodel, and also is considering using anAC motorized-wheel drive systemdeveloped by Siemens.

The move to AC control systems hasopened the door for trucks even larger

than the current 300-ton class. The ACdrive system’s ability to handle higherhorsepower allows manufacturers touse more powerful diesel engines inyet-to-be-developed 320- to 350-tonhaulers. Haulpak and others arelooking at 3,000-plus hp. engines froma variety of sources, including marineunits, to power the next generation oftrucks. It’s likely that new tire designsand rubber compounds will berequired for these monster trucks, asthey were before the current crop of300-ton units could begin rolling.

Perhaps the most important limitingfactor in the future of new, large-truckdesign is customer acceptance. Thehefty price and operational demands ofthese units may largely limit potentialbuyers to either new mines that arebuying production equipment for thefirst time, or existing mines that want tocompletely replace their current fleet.

The benefits gained by using super-large trucks and appropriately sizedloading equipment might be eroded ina mixed fleet containing smaller trucks,where oversized shovels could overloadand damage trucks, or simply loadthem too quickly and disrupt load-haul-dump cycle timing.

Draglines and dozersStripping machines other than shovelsalso are getting larger. P&H’s 6,000-ton 9020 walking dragline beganworking in Australia’s Hunter RiverValley earlier this year, and P&H hasdeveloped an even larger machine,the 8,500-ton 9160. The 9020, todate the largest mining machine everbuilt by P& H, is eclipsed by themammoth 9160.

The 9020 measures 367 ft from theend of the machinery house to the tipof the boom, and is powered by 20 DCelectric motors that deliver a combined39,500 peak horsepower. Maximumbucket capacity is 120 cu yd. Incomparison, the 9160 is 514 ft from tipto tail and requires 28 electric motorsproducing 36,676 peak horsepower.Power consumption is 5.5 millionkilowatt hours per month.

P&H MiningEquipmentsold four of itsnew 9020draglines toAustraliancoalproducers in1996.

The Euclid-Hitachi Co.’sR260 has a262-tonpayloadcapacity.


17

Several new design elements weredeveloped for the 9020 and arecarried over to the larger machine,such as a patented “Gradial” tub thatcombines the elements of a grid-styletub with a new triangular grid patternthat provides multiple load paths forground-induced forces encounteredby the tub. P&H also used a newlydeveloped, low-heat-low distortionwelding process to join together the84-ft-diameter tub’s six intersectingplates.

P&H used CATIA software in boththe 9020 and 9160 developmentprocess. CATIA, a solids-modelingand electronic-design software system,allowed engineers at the Milwaukeeheadquarters and at sites at Perthand Singleton, Australia, to expandthe use of 3-D solids modeling in thedesign of the two draglines and toparticipate in “conference engineer-ing.” With the system, three-dimensional design models can betransmitted electronically from onesite to another for review.

The ability to share detailed, up-to-the-minute design information wasparticularly important during the9020’s four-year development period,as only about half of the machine’scomponents were built at the P&Hplant in Milwaukee. Mine equipmentsuppliers are making increasing useof collaborative design tools for largeprojects, and the trend certainly willcontinue as the design, testing, andfabrication phases of new equipmentbecome more geographically diverse.

At the opposite end of the size

spectrum for stripping machines isthe new generation of jumbo-sizebulldozers from Caterpillar, Komatsu,and Liebherr, which markets what itclaims is the largest hydrostatic-drivedozer, the 375-hp PR751.

Leading the bigger-is-bettercontingent is the 314,000-poundKomatsu 575A-2 Super Dozer, whichfeatures a new blade design capableof moving 90 cubic yards per passfor overburden stripping, with evenlarger blades available for reclama-tion tasks. The blade provides a fullrange of backward and forwardmovement in dig, carry, and dumpmodes in order to maximize payloadsand cycle times, Komatsu said.

The 1,150-hp 575A-2 is designedwith a longer undercarriage thanKomatsu’s Super Ripper model,improving the machine’s tractiveeffort by reducing shoe slip, and alsofeatures an X-bogie design that isclaimed to provide better groundcontact and drawbar pull. Thedozer’s final drive components havebeen beefed up with the inclusion ofa locking torque converter and fiveplanetary gears, rather than four.

At 239,550 pounds operatingweight, Caterpillar’s new Carrydozerbulldozer can’t lay claim to the“world’s largest” title, but the 850-fwhp D11 R CD model is the latestversion of Cat’s popular D11 series,modified to cut per-yard earthmoving costs by a series of designrefinements that include anautomated dozing system, newblade design, and all electronic

engine, steering, transmission, andripper controls.

Caterpillar’s 24H road grader,recently put in service at mines inthe Powder River Basin, wasdeveloped to meet the road-maintenance needs of minesoperating super-large trucks. With500 flywheel hp and weighing131,000 lbs, the 24H is the largestmining grader available and has theheft to cut and completely removehaul-road potholes, for example,rather than just pushing dirt in tofill them. Its 24-ft blade widthreduces the number of passesrequired to grade a road.

What’s next?It’s likely that the rate of super-sized equipment introductions willabate for a while to allow manufac-turers to pause and refine theirnew products, assess marketdemand for bigger models, andstudy the constantly evolvingtechnological options available forthe next generation of miningmachines.

The pace may slow, but itcertainly won’t stop, as late-to-marketsuppliers race to match theircompetitors’ new models, andproducers continue to ask for newtools that can help them strip theirproduction costs to bedrock.

Reprinted from the January 1997 issue ofCoal Age magazine—an Intertec/K-IIIpublication.

P&H MiningEquipment hasintroduced alarger model,the 9t60, thatuses designelementsdeveloped forthe 9020, suchas FiniteElementAnalysis in acomputermodel and the“Gradial” tubdesign nearleft.


22

Lumbar regionVertebra

Disc

Spinalnerve

MuscleLigaments

L1

L2

L3

L4

L5 Lumbar curve

Anatomy of the healthy backSupporting the back is the spinalcolumn, made up of 24 bonyvertebrae stacked one upon another.Separating the vertebrae are soft discsmade of cartilage, which act as shock

absorbers and allow the vertebrae tomove.

Most people don’t realize that it’sthe abdominal muscles that give theback its support, with help from the

muscles and ligaments thatrun along the spinal

column. A healthy backis properly aligned

with its threenatural curves

(cervical,

thoracic, and lumbar curves) in theirnormal, balanced position, andsupported by strong muscles.

The lower backBecause we stand upright, most ofour body weight falls squarely on thevertebrae (L1 through L5) of thelower back (the lumbar region),making it prone to injury. Abdominaland back muscles weakened fromunderuse or poor posture can robthe spinal column of the support itneeds. A sudden twist or a carelesslift can injure the lower back.

The best way to ensure a healthyback is to keep all your body’smuscles strong, watch your posture,and above all, learn good lifting andmaterial handling techniques.

Reprinted from Krames Communications’Back to Backs.

Lifting the burden of low back painSome people carry the weight of theworld upon their shoulders. But halfof the population bears that weight intheir lower back. Low back pain canoccur suddenly, offering few clues toits source. Sufferers describe the painas a throbbing sensation, gnawingache or stabbing pain in the lowermid-section of their spine. The paincan interfere with sleep, hinder aperson from standing fully erect ormake getting up from a chair anagonizing experience.

“In 9 out of 10 cases, low backpain resolves itself within 4 weeks,regardless of how it was treated,”says David Williams, PhD, ofGeorgetown’s Pain ManagementCenter. “When pain persists, however,the l-to-3 month window is animportant time to seek aggressivetreatment. Treatment can involvephysical, medical, behavioral, and

block therapies. The Georgetown PainManagement Center is staffed toprovide these types of services.”

A medical mysteryLow back pain’s often unexplainedappearances and disappearances havemade it something of a medicalpuzzle. Though it is the second mostcommon reason for contacting adoctor—behind the common cold—back experts, like cold researchers,aren’t any closer to identifying exactcauses with certainty.

Recommended treatments foracute and chronic low back paininclude 2 to 4 days of bedrest, as toomuch bed rest has been found todelay healing. And, experts suggestapplications of heat and cold packsto the lower back as well as over-the-counter medication, such as acetami-nophen, for pain relief. A gradual

return to normal activities is alsoadvised. Avoiding movements thatincrease stress on the spine wasfound to be the speediest route torecovery.

When should you worry?If back discomfort is accompanied byleg or foot pain, fever, bladder orurinary dysfunction or pain lastinglonger than 4 weeks, experts urge aperson to contact a doctor soonerrather than later. Most low back painepisodes do not put a person in anemergency situation. But, don’thesitate to get help when the pain inyour back starts to feel like theweight of the world.

Reprinted from the Spring 1996 editionof Washington, DC’s GeorgetownUniversity Medical Center’s HealthyDecisions.

Documents

CONTENTSHSA BULLETIN April 1997 CONTENTS O Mining the Internet O Proper preshift exam could have uncovered roof problems O Willingness to go under unsupported roof costly to