No. 2/2025
Work Safety and Environmental Protection in Mining
ISSN 3071-9127
The operational culture of the borehole mining plant, i.e. many years of practice in the field of safety during the construction and operation of the Kosakowo Underground Gas Storage Cavern
Arletta CZEREBA, Mateusz GIERLICKI
The mining plant and its operation are based on a multi-faceted approach to process safety. In the Kosakowo Cavern Underground Natural Gas Storage Facility, the components that ultimately affect its sustainable operation throughout its operation period have their source in the Hazard and Operability Analysis (HAZOP), in which the competences and experience of employees gained during the long-term operation of the Mogilno Cavern Underground Gas Storage Facility played a key role. At the Kosakowo CUGS, at the stage of construction of the storage caverns, technological solutions were applied that streamlined the entire Cavern construction process and those that contributed to the subsequent increased operational reliability of the unit and the safety of its operation. A number of tests and simulations of models of storage cavern and installations for gas production and injection process were performed, defining guidelines for the implementation of specific technical solutions, materials and technological media used. The Mining work of CUGS is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the geological and mining law in force in the country. Supervision over the operation of the Plant is carried out by the District Mining Authority in Gdańsk in the elementary dimension of verification of the entire life cycle of the field, consisting of the approval of products used in construction and operation. The Office verifies the work and competence of employees, the health and safety condition at the plant and the borehole mining works carried out, as well as those on the technological installation. All of the above aspects are a set of factors at each stage of technological life and implementation of a new investment in industrial infrastructure along with its operation, aimed at bringing measurable effects counteracting emergency events at a mining plant.
Selected issues in the area of technical hazards in underground mines, including cooperation with external companies
Stanisław TRENCZEK, Waldemar FRANCZUK
The article discusses issues related to technical hazards that occur in every type of underground mine. Characteristic factors influencing these threats are given. The effects of their occurrence are shown on the example of accident statistics from 2022, which was significantly unusual in terms of accident rates, and 2019, which was most typical for the period 2019–2023. It was also pointed out that employees of external companies also suffer accidents, which is sometimes the result of improper coordination of work. Further, employers’ obligations regarding ensuring safe working conditions resulting from applicable legal acts were recalled. Conditions affecting the work safety of all employees in underground mining plants were also discussed. The summary emphasized that it is impossible to completely eliminate the effects of technical hazards related to the use of machines and equipment in underground mining, but such efforts should still be made. The analysis of these accidents shows that the main causes of their occurrence included:
- failure to use personal protective equipment;
- staying in an unauthorized place;
- lack of proper supervision when performing particularly dangerous work;
- carrying out works contrary to the instructions;
- working under the influence of alcohol;
- use of unsafe work methods;
- poor work organization;
- riding on a conveyor not adapted for people;
- lack of due caution.
The summary also emphasized that previous experience shows that despite the best technical and organizational solutions, the effects of technical risks related to the use of energy-mechanical machines and devices in underground mining cannot be eliminated. However, regardless of this, any action taken to eliminate accidents is worth taking.
Energy Machine Dispatch Center in the Coal Mine - Modern Management Center
Dawid OSOWSKI, Łukasz PACEK, Marcin MAZUREK, Paweł CYNKUSZ
Machine and energy dispatch centers play a main role in modern mining by integrating technologies for monitoring and managing extraction processes. This article discusses the application of the ABB Ability 800xA system in the LW “Bogdanka” S.A. mine as an example of an innovative approach to mining infrastructure management. The significance of reporting, data analysis, fault prediction, and operator competencies is emphasized. The development of technologies such as artificial intelligence and IoT is also considered as a forward-looking direction for automation in mining operations.
Minerals of the garnet group – occurrence and application in the reconstruction of PT conditions of metamorphic rock formation
Karolina MIZIELIŃSKA
The article describes an issue from the field of petrology of metamorphic rocks, which deals with the study of physical and chemical properties of rocks subjected to transformation processes under the influence of relatively high temperature-pressure (PT) conditions, their classification and genesis. From the point of view of geology, garnets are a useful tool in estimating the PT conditions of formation of metamorphic rocks, which, in combination with the dating of rocks, allows determining the geological history of a given region. This aspect is described on the example of garnet-bearing metapelites from the Pinkie unit (Spitsbergen), where the pressure and temperature conditions were estimated using appropriate methods, thus confirming the approximate period of garnet crystallization, i.e. the occurring tectonometamorphic processes. This paper also devotes a section to the environments where garnets occur and the occurrences of these minerals in Poland.
"Szczakowa" Sand Mine – 70 years of activity
Krzysztof PARASZCZUK, Andrzej CHECHELSKI
The article presents the history of 70 years of the existence and activity of the "Szczakowa" Sand Mine from its establishment in 1954 to 2024. In a way accessible to every reader, the basic facts from the history of the mine are presented, maintaining the thematic division of individual points into the general characteristics of the geological structure of the sand deposit, the history and development of sand mining, the characteristics of rail transport, the reclamation of post-mining areas after the end of mining activities. The photos show examples of views of mining machines and loading sand onto railway wagons (Fig. 2), the social facility – the “Klimczok” holiday home built at the expense of mine employees, as well as an example of successful biological reclamation of areas after sand extraction.
Accidents, Disasters
Chronicle
Standardisation
Approvals for Use in Mining Plants
World Mining
Review of Legislation
The history of the "JULIAN" Coal Mine ("Piekary" Mining Plant, "Piekary" Coal Mine, "Bobrek-Piekary" Coal Mine) in Piekary Śląskie
Adam FRUŻYŃSKI
Spatial digitalisationof post-mining complexes of large-scale buildings and the methodology for optimising this process within the Mining Documentation Centre
Piotr BUDZISZ