Part 2 CCT Overview
Technologies for Coal Resources Development

1A3. Mine Safety Technology
Technology Overview

1. Background
According to the Mine Safety Technology Development andtopics. Based on the results of this development, international

Long-term Technical Transfer Plan, the development of mine

joint research and technical cooperation/transfers have madesafety technology has been promoted with a focus on priority

considerable progress.

2. Technologies to be developed(1) Applying mine safety technology to overseas mines

purpose of developing systems, a site demonstration on longJapan applies its mine safety technology to model coal mines

bolts was carried out at the Kushiro mine in Hokkaido. Ain coal-producing developing countries, thereby reducing

series of basic site tests were also conducted at the samemining disasters, improving mine safety and promoting stablemine to collect measurement data on microtremors, roof/crack

coal production.

displacements, rock stress, acoustic characteristics and on[1] In China, Japanese gas explosion disaster prevention

elastic wave through the use of impact tests. Another study ontechniques have been introduced to the Zhang-ji mine of theroof fall prevention is underway to develop a system to identify

Huainan Mining (Group) Co. Ltd. in Anhui Province throughroof conditions by analyzing machinery data during the drilling

the Central Coal Mining Research Institute. Specifically, theof rock bolt holes.

following four improvements were made: installation of a gas[2] With a view to developing comprehensive undergroundmonitoring system, enhancement of gas drainage efficiency

gas management technology, numerical analysis software,with directionally controlled gas drainage boring technology,

MGF-3D, which uses the stress variations that occur as

introduction of underground ventilation analysis software anddigging proceeds, is being improved and subjected to model

the installation of an underground radio system.

analysis. The software also has a gas-liquid, two-phase[2] In Indonesia, Japanese spontaneous combustion disaster

analysis function to improve analytical accuracy.

prevention techniques have been introduced at the PTBA

[3] An advanced monitoring and communications system for

Ombilin mine through the Mineral and Coal Technology

underground mine safety and stable production has been

Research and Development Center (TekMIRA), including CO

developed through joint research conducted with theand temperature monitoring technology, gas analysis,

Commonwealthunderground ventilation network analysis and wall grouting.

Organisation (CSIRO). The system has now reached the[3] In Vietnam, Japanese mine water inflow disasterstage of being applied to mine sites. This joint research also

prevention technologies have been introduced to Mao Kheaims to build a basic system for risk information management

coal mine and other sites through the National Coal andthat allows the real-time evaluation of different disaster risk

Minerals Group (VINACOMIN), including hydrological data

factors (relating to work, environment, devices andcollection and analysis, underground water flow analysismachinery). As an early detection technique, an odor sensor

using hydrogeological models, advanced boring technology

based on worldwide standards is now being studied in a joint

for water exploration and drainage, and a flow rate

research project with the Safety in Mines, Testing andmeasuring/pumping system.

Research Station (SIMTARS). At the Kushiro mine, a "manScientificandIndustrial

Research

location system" and an underground communications system(2) Joint research on mine safety technology

were tested during an on-site demonstration.

Through domestic development and international joint
research with coal-producing developed countries, Japanpromotes the development and sophistication of mine safetytechnology. This joint research will help further raise minesafety technology standards in both developing anddeveloped coal-producing countries.
[1] Techniques to prevent roof fall accidents in roadways or atworking faces have been developed, including roof fall risk
prediction and roof fall prevention systems. These techniques
are subjected to evaluation and applied to mine sites. For the19Clean Coal Technologies in Japan

Centralized monitoring and management technology
All underground mine safety information, including different measurement data items and the status of machine operations (both received
and sent data), is controlled as a single unit by a computer system in a centralized monitoring and control room located on the surface.

Centralized monitoring and control room

Centralized monitoring computers

Roadway support technique (rock bolting)A rock bolting roadway support technique is based on rock mass evaluations and measurements to overcome Japan’s soft soil conditions.

Geostructure data logging
Technology to determine roof conditions by compiling machinery data
during the drilling of bolt holes

Data transmitting roof
displacement gauge
Bolt-supported roadwayDrillingGas drainage technology
Gas drainage from coal seams and gobs is performed to prevent the emission of explosive methane gas.
The drainage is safely controlled in terms of volume and concentration using the centralized monitoring system.

Gas drainage boringGas drainage holeGas drainage monitoring sensors

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Gas drainage monitoring computer