Explosions of gas and dust continue to be recognized as an extreme danger in underground coal mines and still occur despite significant technological advances. Mining researchers have been attempting to accurately measure and quantify ventilation and gas properties since early mining; however basic monitoring attempts were limited by the available technologies. Recent advancements in monitoring and communication technologies enable comprehensive atmospheric monitoring to become feasible on a mine-wide scale. Atmospheric monitoring systems (AMS) allow operators to monitor conditions underground in real-time. Real-time monitoring enables operators to detect and identify developing high risk areas of the mine, as well as quickly alert mining personnel underground. Real-time monitoring also can determine whether conditions are safe for mining, to operate ventilation systems more efficiently, and to provide an additional layer of monitoring atmospheric conditions underground. AMS utilizes numerous monitoring technologies that will allow underground coal mines to comprehensively monitor gas and ventilation parameters. AMS are utilized worldwide as well as in the United States, and can be modified to cater to specific hazards at different mines. In the United States, AMS are primarily used to monitor belt lines and electrical installations for smoke, CO, and CH₄, and to automatically alarm at set thresholds. The research in this study investigates and analyzed AMS across the world (specifically Australia, Canada, and United States). Two case studies presented in Chapter 5 focus on the utilization and implementation of AMS in two underground coal mines in the United States. These case studies identify challenges regarding installation, data management, and analysis of real-time atmospheric monitoring data. The second case study provides significant evidence that correlates mine ventilation fan outages and changes in barometric pressure to increases in methane from previous works. This research does not attempt to quantify data, but intends to provide engineers knowledge to utilize, design, and implement an AMS. Several incident scenarios are simulated using ventilation computer software, as well as the benefits of monitoring in past disasters are analyzed. This research does not intend to place blame, but intends to increase the understanding of utilizing and implementing AMS in underground coal mines. / Ph. D.

The South African mining industry has become known to be an important contributor to the South African economy. Subsequently, the closure of mines due to various reasons has resulted in major economic losses for mines. This study's aim is to investigate the mine closures caused by the regulatory body, namely the Department of Mineral Resources via the enforcement of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) by the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate. The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate has wide discretionary powers that enables them to close a mine or part thereof, often inconsistently or unfounded which may result in economic and other losses. The closure of mines due to compliance issues, known as section 54 stoppages, has caused a fiery debate and controversy within the mining industry due to the inconsistent issuing of such compliance orders. It resulted in the closure of mines for certain periods of times. The South African courts have been approached to interpret section 54, but it appears that there are still challenges remaining. Whilst the legislation in place is based on the duty posed on the employer to provide a workplace that is safe and without risk to the employee, the manner in which the legislative provisions are enforced, specifically the closures of or part of a mine, has to be investigated, the root problem/s identified and addressed. This study compares the enforcement measures of the MHSA with that of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the National Environmental Management Act in order to make recommendations the more effective and efficient enforcement of section 54. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The South African mining industry has become known to be an important contributor to the South African economy. Subsequently, the closure of mines due to various reasons has resulted in major economic losses for mines. This study's aim is to investigate the mine closures caused by the regulatory body, namely the Department of Mineral Resources via the enforcement of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) by the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate. The Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate has wide discretionary powers that enables them to close a mine or part thereof, often inconsistently or unfounded which may result in economic and other losses. The closure of mines due to compliance issues, known as section 54 stoppages, has caused a fiery debate and controversy within the mining industry due to the inconsistent issuing of such compliance orders. It resulted in the closure of mines for certain periods of times. The South African courts have been approached to interpret section 54, but it appears that there are still challenges remaining. Whilst the legislation in place is based on the duty posed on the employer to provide a workplace that is safe and without risk to the employee, the manner in which the legislative provisions are enforced, specifically the closures of or part of a mine, has to be investigated, the root problem/s identified and addressed. This study compares the enforcement measures of the MHSA with that of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the National Environmental Management Act in order to make recommendations the more effective and efficient enforcement of section 54. / LLM (Environmental Law and Governance), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

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