Hot blast holes endanger lives.

Byline: Alf James

Hot blast holes endanger lives SMOULDERING or burning coal deposits represent a serious problem in operations associated with the surface mining of underground coal seams. Larry Wilson, group technical manager, research and development at AEL Mining Services, says in some parts of SA underground coal fires have been burning unabated for years. These sub-surface fires present a real challenge to mining operations. He says blast holes drilled down into the coal to facilitate blasting operations present a more specific hazard. Despite a range of pre-drilling practices, such holes, while initially appearing cool and safe to load with explosives, can still undergo sudden and unpredictable escalations in temperature.

& In the absence of sufficient …