Mine Atmosphere Interpretation
"You're the first person that doesn't tell us how to put the fire out, instead you tell us how not to have the fire!"
BACKGROUND
The Sentinel System for Sampling, Monitoring and Interpretation of Mine Atmospheres, is the product of over twenty five years research into the nature and cause of:
- Mine Disasters
- Spontaneous Combustion
- Mine Fires; and
- Other serious events in our underground coalmines.
Past history strongly suggests, that all too often, present practice has failed to detect or recognise an abnormal state in the mine atmosphere with the result that lives have been lost, many other lives have been exposed to serious risk, the mine has been lost or at the very least, suffered a major interruption to the business.
In recent years we have become skilled in the identification and interpretation of Fire Gases and the products of an explosion of flammable gas and coal dust. Many tools and computer programs are available which tell us how bad the situation is and what is likely to happen next, however, when we examine the methods used to ascertain what is normal and what constitutes an abnormal state, we find a situation with a number of shortcomings.
One common denominator in the failure to detect an abnormal state in the mine atmosphere is the role and responsibility of statutory officials and their contribution to and knowledge of, the sampling, monitoring and interpretation process.
The Sentinel System is designed to address these shortcomings.
SENTINEL MINE ATMOSPHERE INTERPRETATION
We offer a totally independent, Mine Atmosphere Interpretation and Monitoring Support Service that is designed to support, back up and verify the results of your on site monitoring program. The system was developed initially for Cook Colliery where we achieved exceptional results and we have supplied this service to Newlands Coal, North Goonyella, Broadmeadow Mine and Southlands (now Austar Coal Mine). As Newlands Southern Underground has used assisted inertisation on many LW Blocks we have also developed the experience of being able to confidently monitor atmosphere status even with the introduction of inert gases.
EXPLANATION OF SYSTEM
Ventilation Stations and Monitoring Points are established at selected points throughout the mine and bag samples are collected in accordance with “Best Practice” and analysed without undue delay by a Gas Chromatograph. The GC Results and faxed or emailed through to Joncris Sentinel Services and processed by the Sentinel Interpretation System.
The Sentinel Interpretation System is designed to examine a total of 21 Indices for each sample and to produce a Trend for selected indices or all twenty-one (21) should the circumstances warrant such action.
This enhances our ability to recognise and quantify the subtle changes that can occur in the mine atmosphere. We are convinced that it is the subtle changes that are the early warning signs that have been consistently missed in the past.
The subtle changes can be influenced by strata anomalies, coal quality changes, intersection of surface to seam boreholes or beginnings of oxidation. We can recognise these changes and have contacted mines in the past and explained the changes as one of the previously mentioned causes.
Appropriate Trigger Levels will be established using statistical analysis and should a confirmed Trigger be reached, contact with the mine will be made immediately to seek clarification or confirmation samples.
We are in regular contact with the site controllers and freely offer advice and support on a wide range of issues dealing with the Sampling, Monitoring and Interpretation of Mine Atmospheres.
Routine reports will be to the Ventilation Officer, the Underground Mine Manager or his designate on completion of the interpretation and verification. Should a confirmed Level 2 Trigger be reached then appropriate action will be taken to notify the Ventilation Officer immediately.
Download the Sentinel System information from the downloads page. NOTE: it is an exe file and we recommend you scan it with your virus protection prior to use.
PAST PERFORMANCE
Sampling, Monitoring and Interpretation of Mine Atmospheres, Emergency Response and Incident Management is a science and art that has evolved over many years. Our experience in this field is wide and varied and we have earned the respect of our peers, the confidence of Mine Managers, the Inspectorate in Queensland and New South Wales, the Workforce in general and Union Safety Inspectors in Queensland and New South Wales.
Our values are Service, Quality and Satisfaction and we do everything in our power to ensure that persons at the mine are trained to the highest standard in Sampling, Monitoring and Interpretation of Mine Atmospheres, Emergency Management and Incident Response.
We are on call 24 hours and willingly assist management, supervisors and controllers in the verification of the site’s day-to-day monitoring and interpretation systems and processes and if necessary, we will travel to site and assist with Incident Management.
COST
Contact us for costs to set up and monitor the atmosphere at your mine.