What Can Be Done to Prevent Mining Accidents?

There are distinctive dangers concerning mine workers when on duty and therefore training is extremely vital; workers need extensive and widespread training. All mining professionals are offered several compulsory and volunteer training practices.

Almost all countries comprising of mining stipulate that all mines have an approved worker training package regarding health and safety matters. New miners who have no experience must achieve a certain amount of hours regarding basic safety training. Further added to this, new miner training must obtain regular refresher safety training every year, and miners assigned to first-hand jobs must receive safety training connected to their new duty. Progressively, mines use more advanced tools for miner training, such as machinery simulators and virtual reality simulators; mine workers become increasingly prepared and mine corporations can instantly measure a mine worker’s growth and abilities. Mine professionals who are on duty for blasting operations join detailed training and are also required to be licensed for the use of explosives and initiation systems. Most mining countries set up a specific refresher safety training for experienced blasters to integrate fast-paced changing legislation and the new technological movements. Mining Machinery Manufacturers offer courses in machine operation and maintenance with emphasis on safe practices due to potential liabilities in case of an accident International mining groups have established exploitation and production health and safety principles that are applied in their mines irrespective of the countries where the project is being executed. Due to the fact that they are corporate standards adopted by registered entities, such criteria and preparations are expected to be much more shielding compared to the many local protocols. New technologies have been launched which has effectively contributed in plummeting the likelihood of injury and fatality rates. The superior occurrence of mining accidents in developing countries and in illegal mining operations is openly related to a lack of the latest technology, especially concerning:

• Personal Protective Equipment;
• Exploitation Infrastructure;
• Explosive Product.

Electronic detonators are prime examples of technological development aimed at safer mining practices. The ultimate safety advantage to the system is that the miner in charge can have total system verifications before he goes into a charge-and-fire sequence. So what does this mean? Well, it means that virtually all potential glitches will be known up front before firing.  This enables corrective measures which in turn saves lives. This evident level of safety and operational transparency in the past was impossible. Some mines have now set up complete robot-like drilling and explosive charging processes. I think it is extraordinary how public concern regarding mine accidents has immensely encouraged stricter safety legislations, improved training methodology and safer technology practices.