Coal Age Serving the Needs of the Coal Mining Industry
June 20, 2008
Air-Powered Winch
The TA10 Big Red Series air winch has been designed for improved performance by incorporating a high capacity air motor into the unit which provides higher line pull capacity while maintaining faster line speeds. Performance ratings include first layer and full drum load capacities of 37,000 and 21,800 lb along with a maximum line speed of 34 fpm. Among its many design changes, the new series incorporates reversible band brake and disc brake assemblies and an innovative revolving cable anchor. The cable anchor accommodates wire rope diameters ranging from ¾ inch to 1 ¼ inch and facilitates winding of wire rope from either direction. www.thern.com
Equipment Hazard Alert for Parking Brakes on Scoops
The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently issued a report saying that the Automatic Emergency Parking Brake (AEPB) on some Bucyrus (formerly Long Airdox) 400 & 600 series scoops may not automatically reset when the hand pump is used to release the AEPBs when the scoop is off. This could be associated with a number of issues, including component wear, or deviations from the original hydraulic circuit design. In such cases the AEPBs will be reset only when the scoop is re-energized and one of the hydraulic functions is operated.
Automatic functioning of AEPBs is required under Title 30CFR 75.523-3(b)(1) and (2). To insure compliance and correct operation, any 400 & 600 series scoops originally manufactured according to Bucyrus hydraulic schematics No. 220534, L-410181X20 or L-012334X1 must be maintained in accordance with Bucyrus hydraulic schematics No. 220534, L-410181X20, Revision “E”, and L-12344X1, Revision “D.” These revised schematics incorporate special notes which describe the potential issues with the AEPBs, and define the part number and installation procedure for a valve which will operate at very low pilot pressures. The following inspection can determine if a scoop’s AEPBs are in compliance:
De-energize the scoop and block the wheels to prevent movement.
Check that the AEPB pressure gage reads zero indicating the AEPB is set.
Operate the hand pump to release the AEPB. The pressure gage will indicate pressure to show that the AEPB is released.
Energize the scoop and allow the pump motor to run, but do not operate any hydraulic controls or apply the AEPB.
To be in compliance, the pressure gage should drop to zero releasing the pressure, which indicates the AEPB is applied.
If the AEPB pressure gage does not drop to zero to engage the AEPB, the scoop’s brake system needs to be brought into compliance. Operate a hydraulic function to release the pressure and apply the AEPB.
Please contact a field representative for assistance in correcting the noncompliance. The potential malfunction of the AEPB, however, may not be limited to this manufacturer only. www.msha.gov
Fraser Creek Mining, based in Scott Depot, W.Va., has agreed to pay 678 coal miners about $200,000 in back pay for unpaid overtime over a period of nearly two years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The agency said Fraser Creek also poorly kept records on hours worked by office staff and erred in classifying four clerical workers as exempt administrative employees who were never paid overtime. The incorrectly calculated overtime pay by Fraser Creek extended from January 2006 through December 2007. The operation covers seven surface mines in West Virginia and Kentucky.
Cat Announces Options for Repairing Machine Control and Guidance Systems
Caterpillar offers new repair options to keep Cat machine control and guidance systems up and running and owning and operating costs down. Two economical solutions, repairing components or using remanufactured ones, provide customers the flexibility to choose the option that best suits their needs. Caterpillar remanufactured components are available off the shelf, warranted, and are about half the price of new. Cat Reman machine control and guidance components incorporate all critical engineering updates as they are factory-remanufactured using genuine Caterpillar parts. Each remanufactured component is tested extensively to ensure same-as-new performance, and each comes with a same-as-new, one-year warranty. For repairs, factory-trained technicians at the Cat Machine Control & Guidance Repair Center rely on test systems that replicate real-world applications for accurate diagnosis of each problem and equally accurate repair estimates. Components are repaired to Caterpillar quality standards and are tested rigorously to ensure they meet those standards. Each repaired component has a 90-day parts and labor warranty. www.cat.com
Real-Time, Mobile and Wireless Audio-Video Communication
Video conferencing is now widely used in the mining industry. Multinational companies use it to communicate with international branch offices, enabling them to work with their staff, clients, and suppliers in different countries, and to cut the hassles, risks, and costs of business travel. However, despite its benefits, video conferencing also presents many limitations for mining companies. The fix environment design philosophy does not fit well the needs of many departments who need a true “in-the field mobility,” such as exploration teams, geologists, project engineers, inspectors, mine managers, mechanics, etc. With Frontline Communicator, mobile team members can now have bi-directional communication with experts, managers, system engineers, or a group from a distance and transmit video/images—no matter their location or for how long. Frontline Communicator is a robust, hands-free, wireless, and lightweight bi-directional audio-video communication system. Connecting to almost all IP Broadband Networks, it offers reliable voice, data, video/images communications from virtually anywhere on the planet while providing maximum mobility to the team. www.audisoft.net
Indonesia Wants to Speed Up Power Plant Construction
Vice President Jusuf Kalla has renewed calls for state-owned power company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to speed up construction of coal-fired power plants in a bid to swiftly resolve a power crisis plaguing Java. Kalla made the statement during a visit to the Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Cilegon, West Java. The 652-megawatt Suralaya project is scheduled for completion in 2010. However, since Java has frequently suffered power blackouts due to a lack of power capacity, the government has requested PLN wrap up several key power projects on the island before next year’s general election.
Strix Systems, a worldwide leader in high-performance wireless mesh networking, and Dotworkz Systems announced the availability of the highest performance, Integrated Wireless Video Surveillance System (IWVS)—the industry's only integrated wireless mesh network system specifically designed for optimal high-quality delivery of IP video surveillance over wireless/WiFi mesh networks in a single easy to deploy packaged design. Strix Systems patented high performance hardware and software are integrated into the Dotworkz D2 unique vandal-tough weatherized enclosures for IP-enabled Intelligent Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras. The integration of Strix Access/One Edge capabilities give the IWVS the ability to achieve robust, continuous high throughput and low latency via Strix intelligent radio algorithms that dynamically adjust to the environment. Maximum power enables the greatest signal strength, receive sensitivity and optimal channel selection for the robust wireless connectivity and highest achievable throughput. www.strixsystems.com
In response to a request by the National Mining Association, MSHA has extended until April 30, 2008, the period for comments on the advance draft of the updated “Engineering and Design Manual: Coal Refuse Disposal Facilities.” The advance draft can be accessed at www.msha.gov. The updated design manual is being prepared by MSHA and a team led by D’Appolonia Engineering. D’Appolonia developed the industry’s first design manual for coal refuse impoundments in 1972 for the MESA, the predecessor agency to MSHA, after the Buffalo Creek, W.Va., coal refuse dam failure that caused the deaths of 125 people. The original manual is no longer in print. The updated manual will be greatly expanded and will address advances made in the past 30 years in dam safety and slurry impoundment design, construction, monitoring, inspection, and instrumentation. Specific design guidance has been added to the manual including engineering analysis for siting impoundments over or adjacent underground mines and consideration of earthquake impacts on refuse impoundment dam safety.
New World Resources Applies for Mining License in Poland
Czech coal producer New World Resources N.V has announced that it has filed an application for a mining license in the Debiensko 1 area of southern Poland with the Polish Ministry of Environment. The application was made by NWR's wholly-owned Polish subsidiary, Karbonia PL Sp. z.o.o. NWR’s growth strategy includes actively pursuing opportunities in Poland and the wider Central European region to expand its reserve base and long-term production capabilities. With indicated resources in excess of 100 million metric tons (mt) of coal located in southern Poland near to NWR’s existing operations in the Czech Republic, Debiensko 1 also represents a key opportunity for NWR to leverage economies of scale from integration with its existing operations over time.
The license application follows extensive preparation of the mining plan as well as discussions with the relevant constituencies including mining authorities and local municipalities. NWR’s mining concept, which is fully consistent with the local zoning plans, was accepted by the Polish Ministry of Environment in September 2007 and the relevant regional authority, the office of the Katowice governor, approved the Environmental Impact Assessment earlier this year.
"The Debiensko 1 license application follows our signing last October of a Letter of Intent with Jastrzebska Spółka Weglowa S.A., Poland’s largest coking coal mining company, to cooperate on the potential development of mining operations in the Morcinek coal field in southern Poland," said Mike Salamon, chairman, NWR. NWR’s mining consultant for the Debiensko 1 project is John T. Boyd, which is exploring various shaft sinking and engineering approaches from around the world that could help to minimize the development time necessary to commence mining at Debiensko 1.
MSHA Reminds Mining Community of Mine Accident Phone Number
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) wants to remind the mining community to use the agency’s national hotline to report all mine accidents and workplace hazards. Through the “One Call Does It All” campaign, begun last summer, MSHA is distributing an array of stickers, magnets and business cards that display the toll-free number to miners and mine operators nationwide.
That number—800-746-1553—should be used to report hazardous conditions at a mine as well as imminent danger hazardous conditions, those which could cause a serious accident, injury or illness. The hotline also accepts calls to report the location of old mine maps, impoundments and abandoned mines.
"This 'One Call Does It All' phone number makes it easy to contact MSHA in the event of a mine emergency or potential mine hazard," said Richard E. Stickler, acting assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "We want to remind miners, also, of their right to confidentially and anonymously report to MSHA any uncorrected hazardous workplace conditions they may encounter. We can better prevent mining injuries and fatalities when hazards are quickly removed from the work environment."
The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 included a provision that requires all mine operators to notify MSHA of all accidents that pose a reasonable risk of death within 15 minutes of when the operator realizes an accident has occurred. Violators risk a civil penalty ranging from $5,000 to $60,000.
The new materials, which include a hard hat sticker, a business card, a telephone sticker and a magnet, all carry the one telephone number miners and mine operators need. The items are being distributed by federal inspectors during normal inspections.
