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Why Is the Leaky Feeder System Not Working In Disaster

kristian February 27, 2023 Mining Communication, Underground Communication, Underground Mining

Why is the leaky feeder system not working in disaster? The leaky feeder system is a type of communication system that miners use in underground mines, tunnels, and other similar environments. It works to provide a reliable means of communication between workers in these environments and the surface team.

However, despite its effectiveness in many situations, the leaky feeder system may stop working properly during disaster, such as fires or cave-ins. In this blog, we will explore some of the reasons why the leaky feeder system may not work in these situations and discuss some possible solutions.

What is the Leaky Feeder System?

Before we dive into the reasons why the leaky feeder system may not work during disasters, let’s briefly review what the system is and how it works.

The leaky feeder system consists of a series of coaxial cables that are installed throughout an underground mine or tunnel. These cables are designed to transmit radio signals, which are used for communication between workers in the underground environment and the surface team.

The cables are called “leaky” because they are designed to allow a portion of the signal to escape through small openings in the cable’s outer insulation. This allows the signal to be received by handheld radios or other communication devices carried by workers in the underground environment.

Reasons Why Leaky Feeder System is Not Working During Disaster

Despite the many benefits of the leaky feeder system, there are several reasons why it may not work as intended during disasters. Some of the most common reasons include:

Damage to the Cables: During a disaster, such as a cave-in or explosion, the cables that make up the leaky feeder system may become damaged or severed. Causing the signal disruption or signal loss, making it difficult or impossible for workers in the underground environment to communicate with the surface team.
Power Failure: The leaky feeder system requires power to function properly. If a power supply disruption or the power fails during a disaster, the system may not work accurately. This can lead to communication issues between workers in the underground environment and the surface team.
Interference: The leaky feeder system relies on radio signals to transmit communication between workers in the underground environment and the surface team. However, during a disaster, other sources of radio interference may be present, making it difficult or impossible to transmit or receive signals effectively.

Possible Solutions to Leaky Feeder System Failure

While there are several reasons why the leaky feeder system may not work as intended during disasters, there are also several potential solutions to these issues. Some of the most common solutions include:

Redundant Systems: To prevent communication failures during disasters, many underground mines and tunnels have redundant communication systems in place. This can include backup leaky feeder systems, as well as other communication methods such as Wi-Fi or cellular networks.
Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance and inspection of the leaky feeder system can help to identify and address potential issues before they become major problems. This can help to ensure that the system is functioning properly during emergencies.
Training and Protocols: Workers in underground mines and tunnels should receive regular training on how to use the leaky feeder system and other communication methods effectively. This can help to ensure that they are able to communicate effectively during disasters, even if the leaky feeder system is not functioning properly.

Conclusion

The leaky feeder system is a valuable tool for communication in underground mines, tunnels, and other similar environments. However, during disasters, such as fires or cave-ins, the system may not work as intended. By understanding the potential reasons for system failure and implementing the appropriate solutions, it is possible to ensure that workers in these environments are able to communicate effectively and stay safe during emergencies.

Contact Us Today

If you are responsible for safety in an underground mine or tunnel, you know how critical it is to have reliable communication between workers in the underground environment and the surface team. The leaky feeder system is a valuable tool for achieving this goal, but it is not foolproof. In order to ensure that the leaky feeder system is functioning properly, regular maintenance and inspection are necessary.

At Becker Wholesale Mine Supply, we offer a range of high-quality leaky feeder systems and other mining safety equipment that can help to protect your workers and ensure that your mining operation runs smoothly. Our experienced team can work with you to design and implement a customized communication system that meets the specific needs of your operation.

So if you are looking for a reliable leaky feeder system for your mining operation, look no further than Becker Wholesale Mine Supply. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services, and take the first step towards a safer, more efficient mining operation.

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How Does Underground Mining Work

kristian February 20, 2023 Gas Monitor, Mining, Uncategorized, Underground Communication, Underground Mining

How does underground mining work? Underground mining is a critical process for extracting valuable minerals and resources from the earth. This method of mining involves the excavation of tunnels and shafts, which allow miners to access ore deposits located deep underground. Underground mining can be a dangerous and challenging process, as it requires specialized equipment, techniques, and safety protocols. Despite these challenges, underground mining work remains an essential process for the mining industry and plays a crucial role in the global economy.

Hard-Rock Underground Mining

There are underground mines that are made of hardrock, and underground mines that are made from softrock. For example, coal deposits live in soft sedimentary rocks. The igneous or metamorphic rocks that contain gold deposits are relatively hard.

Although design and extraction methods can vary within hard-rock categories, they all tend to revolve around the same basic principles.

Room and Pillar

For deposits of relatively flat ore, where there is little elevation change, miners drill access ramps to the deposit. They then remove ore using a series of holes (rooms), and roof supports (pillars). You can mine the rooms using traditional charge-and blast techniques or, more often, with a machine known as a continuous miner. The continuous miner digs into the rock to form an excavated area, approximately 20-30 feet (6-9 meters) in length. A rock pillar is then left to support the “roof”. The machine moves through the ore creating rooms and columns until it covers the entire deposit. The machine makes a final pass through the pillars in order to recover any ore. As it leaves each room, the roofs will collapse behind it.

Cut and Fill

Miners drill an access ramp to the ore deposit from the surface to the lowest point. The operator drives a drill through ore to create a drift or horizontal cut from one end of the deposit. For the hardest rocks, there is no need for roof support. However, softer rock bolts can be used to attach the roof to the drill as it progresses. After the drift is completed, the backfill (or waste material) is spread in the drift to create a platform for the next pass. To cut more ore, the drill will drive on top of the backfill. The drill continues this process until it cuts another drift through the ore deposit.

This technique can also be used to extract larger deposits by drilling two adjacent access ramps. Also, you can cut two adjacent drifts.

Cut and fill is best for hard rock because it doesn’t have the support mechanisms that are central to a method such as room and pillar. The room-and pillar approach crosses easily into the soft stuff, and most coal mines.

Soft-Rock Underground Mining

Soft rock is home to coal, salt, uranium and phosphate. There are two main methods of soft-rock mining: room and pillar and longwall. The most common method of extracting coal is the room-and pillar method. Longwall mining is growing in popularity, however.

Longwall Mining

is extremely efficient. Instead of drilling through the ore deposit, a lengthy wall machine cuts across it, cutting slices up to 600 ft (182m) in length. These slices are then dropped onto a conveyor that moves continuously, and it transports them to a haulage shaft which lifts it from the mine. The roof supports in longwall mining are built into the machine. They sit between the roof of the room and the top of a longwall miner. The supports move along with the machine as it enters the ore. This allows the support area to collapse and fill in the excavated space.

The longwall method is capable of recovering up to 90% of the ore available. The room-and pillar method typically recovers around 50 percent.

If the deposit is narrower, it’s possible to make shorter cuts. This is shortwall mining.

Although blast mining is still a popular technique that uses explosives such as TNT to extract ore, it is only 5% of U.S. production.

Mining is now becoming more efficient. Underground mining is less labor-intensive, and therefore puts fewer people at risk as they work below the surface. Underground mines aren’t the most safe.

Dangers in Underground Mining

Underground mining has a significant environmental impact. This includes air pollution, changes to water flow patterns, chemical and natural gas seepage into soil and water supplies, and inaccessible fires from abandoned mines. It can also result in dramatic changes in the land composition that could make the area unusable once the mining is finished.

Accidents are often caused by the collapse of mine props due to earthquakes. Explosions can also cause casualties if ventilation systems fail to remove exhaust from the mining equipment, coal dust, and natural underground gas leaks. Explosions can be ignited by blasting, which can cause death from the explosions and subsequent collapse of mine structures.

Long-term health issues can pose a serious risk to your job. Lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis and the dreaded “black lung” can be caused by inhaling mineral dust. Respiratory diseases can also be caused by breathing in welding fumes or radon, which are often found in mines. It is also common to suffer from hearing loss due to loud equipment or back injuries when lifting heavy loads.

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Mining equipment is a critical component of the mining industry, and having the right equipment can mean the difference between success and failure. At Becker Wholesale Mine Supply, we offer a wide range of mining equipment, including radios, leaky feeder systems, gas monitors, and more. Our products are designed to meet the rigorous demands of the mining industry, ensuring that you have the best equipment for the job. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how we can help you get the equipment you need to succeed in the mining industry.

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Diseases and Risks Faced by Miners

kristian February 13, 2023 Gas Monitor, Underground Mining

Mining is a hazardous industry, and unlike other occupations, it is impossible for to completely avoid exposure to diseases and risks faced by miners. This can lead to various diseases, including lung and skin diseases and hearing loss. Additionally, mining operations also involve working in unstable and hazardous conditions, often with inadequate safety measures in place.

We know more about the long-term health effects of working in a mining site now than ever before, and in many cases, the risks and diseases can be avoided or at least minimized. Many of the health problems miners face come from long-term exposure to dust, hazardous chemicals, and toxins in the air.

Regular servicing of equipment, training, and proper PPE can considerably reduce the risk of dust exposure, for instance. Employers should also ensure that their workers are regularly tested and monitored for any early signs of disease or health issues so they can be treated appropriately. It is also essential to provide adequate medical facilities at mining sites to attend to any injuries or illnesses that occur promptly.

Here are some of the top health concerns and diseases that are faced by miners today:

Pneumoconiosis

Also known as Black Lung Disease, this is a respiratory illness caused by prolonged breathing in coal dust. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and persistent coughing. Mixed dust and asbestos can also cause pneumoconiosis. The ongoing effects on breathing can be devastating and the eventual diagnosis could lead to a form of lung cancer.

Mesothelioma

This is a concerning disease that often affects miners exposed to asbestos, a fibrous mineral often used in mining operations. While the effects of this disease can take up to fifty years to manifest, it can cause severe damage to the lungs and is often fatal. This disease attacks internal organs, and we are seeing more forms of it present today from miners that worked throughout the 70s and mid-80s.

Hearing Loss

This is one of the most common occupational illnesses among miners. Prolonged exposure to loud machinery and equipment can cause hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and dizziness. Employers should provide their workers with adequate ear protection to reduce this risk.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is a chronic lung infection that can be caused by exposure to dust and chemical fumes. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, or tightness in the chest. This disease commonly affects smokers and is dangerous as it can cause permanent lung damage.

Silicosis

This disease is a form of pneumoconiosis caused by long-term inhalation of silica dust. It can cause the lungs to become stiff, making breathing difficult and painful. Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. In advanced cases, it can lead to death.

These health issues highlight the importance of proper safety measures in mining environments. Employers must protect their workers from hazardous conditions to avoid health issues. Additionally, miners must be aware of the risks involved in their occupation and take the necessary precautions to stay safe. With proper safety measures, mining can remain a safe and profitable industry.

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Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect yourself and your team from diseases and risks faced by miners. Take action now and secure the best in health and safety equipment from Becker Wholesale Mine Supply. With our vast experience and knowledgeable team, you can trust that you’re making the right investment for your peace of mind and the health of your workforce. Call us today. Let’s work together to ensure that every day in the mines is a healthy one!

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The Most Important Feature in a Mine Gas Detector

kristian February 6, 2023 Gas Monitor, Mining, Underground Mining

Mine gas detector in the mining industry are a must for any safety-conscious worker. They provide essential information about the presence of combustible and toxic gasses, enabling miners to take necessary steps to prevent potential harm to themselves or others in their work environment.

If you are ready to outfit your mining team with a personal gas detector, consider the following factors:

1. Sensors That Monitor Gasses in Your Environment

A gas monitor needs to be able to detect the particular gasses that are most likely to be present in your specific mining environment. Research the different types of sensors and ensure they cover all potential hazardous gasses you might encounter. No monitor will provide monitoring for every type of gas, but some are better suited to certain environments than others.

2. Alarms and Alerts

An effective gas detector should be equipped with a loud alarm to notify miners when the set level of gasses has been reached, giving them enough time to react accordingly. Look for a device that also includes audible, visual, and vibration alarms so that workers can detect the presence of danger, even in a noisy environment.

3. Ease of Use

Personal gas detectors should be user-friendly and easy to operate. This is essential for miners who may need to assess the situation when hazardous gasses are present quickly. Look for models that provide easy-to-read displays with simple push-button controls.

4. Durability

Mining is a rugged and dangerous activity, often requiring miners to work in harsh conditions. When choosing your detector, make sure it is made with durable material that can withstand the elements and any potential hazards of working underground or off-site locations.

5. Peer-To-Peer Connections

In today’s digital age, connectivity between devices is key. Look for a personal gas detector capable of connecting to other miners’ detectors, creating a network of linked devices that can work together in detecting hazardous gasses and providing alerts.

6. Status Alerts and Maintenance Reminders for Calibration

Any good gas detector should also have built-in notifications which remind you when calibration is needed or if there are any issues with the device. This will help ensure that your miners always use a safe and reliable detector.

7. Flexibility for Your Applications

There are pumped and non-pumped models of gas monitoring, and the type that you need will depend on the type of mining environment you are in. If your mining team needs to move between different locations, look for a model that can easily suit different work sites.

8. Live Monitoring

Any monitoring device that you invest in today should be something that will last you for the next 5-8 years. Having a monitor that can track live readings of the environment and record data over time can help you to make better decisions when it comes to safety.

By considering these features when choosing a personal gas detector, miners can feel more confident and better protected in their work environments. Safety should always come first, and the right gas detector can provide miners with the necessary levels of protection that they need to stay safe.

Contact Us Today

Ensure the safety of your mining operation today! Upgrade to the advanced gas detectors and mining equipment offered by Becker Wholesale Mine Supply. Protect your workers, reduce risks, and improve the overall efficiency of your mining operation with the top-quality products from our team. Call us now, and secure a safer and more productive mining environment with Becker Wholesale Mine Supply.