Ukraine Responds to New Mine Action Demands

The Ukraine has been testing demining equipment as well as practicing new mine action methods in order to meet international guidelines. The following article from the director of the Ukrainian Mine Action Information Center (UMAIC), discusses the different types of demining equipment that Ukrainian deminers have tested and wish to use in the future

Toward a New Mine Action Strategy for Cambodia

This report presents the findings, conclusions, and recommendations from a study on the need for a new national mine action strategy for Cambodia. The study entailed a document review; the preparation and distribution of a stakeholder questionnaire and the analysis of responses; and interviews with representatives from a number of mine action and disability assistance organisations, government ministries, etc

No Wizards, Just Patient Teachers

APOPO is a Belgian-African nongovernmental organization that trains rats to be at new mine-detection tool. The authors describe the basic idea behind this unique concept

New Mine/ERW Risk Education Initiatives in Afghanistan

Many steps, including training midwives, police officers and teachers in mine and explosive remnants of war risk education (mine/ERW RE), have been taken in Afghanistan to ensure that mine/ERW RE is integrated into local networks. This article outlines the move toward integrating mine/ERW RE within local networks in Afghanistan to assure that high-quality and sustainable material is delivered in the areas that need it most

NIOSH develops new mine refuge chamber training.

"Objective: The objective is to provide effective training on refuge chambers for underground coal miners. This training will increase knowledge about how to teach miners to operate, transport, and inspect a refuge chamber; what to expect psychologically and physiologically inside a refuge chamber; and how to decide when to use a refuge chamber. Background: During 2006-2007, several disasters occurred at U.S. underground coal mines, resulting in 28 fatalities. These disasters led to new approaches to mine safety and health, as well as new federal regulations. One new technology mandated by federal legislation is the refuge chamber. Refuge chambers are movable shelters that are either made of steel or inflate from a steel skid as a tent. They can potentially save the lives of miners during an underground mine emergency by providing breathable air, food, water, and a safe environment for up to 96 hours. Because the refuge chamber is a new technology, recommendations, information, and training products are greatly needed. Approach: A multidisciplinary team at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has created three products about refuge chambers for underground coal mines. Extensive research was conducted for these products consisting of literature reviews, meetings with Mine Safety and Health Administration employees, engineering tests of refuge chambers, and interviews with stakeholders, including mine operators and miners. One product to emerge from this work is a NIOSH Information Circular entitled "Guidelines for Instructional Materials on Refuge Chamber Setup, Use, and Maintenance" (NIOSH Publication No. 2009-148). Intended for mine trainers, refuge chamber manufacturers, and mine operators, this product offers suggestions for the preparation, maintenance, and movement of refuge chambers. As instructions for the operation of a refuge chamber can be complicated, this product also provides recommendations on ways to teach miners how to operate the chamber. One recommendation is to provide miners with a shortened version of the operation, or quick start guide, to help jog their memory. Sample quick start guides (Figure 1) are included. Another product developed by NIOSH is "Refuge Chamber Expectations Training" (NIOSH Publication No. 2010-100). This multimedia training informs miners about what to expect psychologically and physiologically if they use a refuge chamber. In addition to a computer training program, there is an instructor's guide and lesson plans for mine trainers. Photos, videos, audio, and interviews with miners who used a refuge chamber in response to a mine fire in Canada have also been incorporated into the training package. Physiological effects, such as difficulty breathing and sleeping, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, thirst, and body aches may be experienced by miners while they are enclosed in the refuge chamber (Figure 2). Providing the miners with information on what they may encounter when using the refuge chamber will help them to be better prepared in the event of an emergency requiring the actual use of the refuge chamber. NIOSH has also created decision-making training for refuge chambers. "Harry's Hard Choices" (NIOSH Publication No. 2009-122) is a paper-and-pencil training simulation designed to help miners make decisions about when to use a refuge chamber. The training exercise is an interactive story that profiles Harry Hamilton, a section foreman on a longwall setup section who must decide what course of action to take when he discovers there is a mine fire (Figure 3). As the story evolves, Harry must make a series of choices about how to increase the crew's chances for survival. The scenario is taken in part from real-life mine emergencies. Results: All three training products were field tested and received positive evaluations. These products are a valuable resource for mine trainers, mine operators, and refuge chamber manufacturers to be used during initial refuge chamber training as well as annual refresher training." - NIOSHTIC-2NIOSHTIC no. 20036124200

Interview with Martin Barber, Chief of United Nations Mine Action Service

The United Nations Mine Action Service has a successful program operating in Afghanistan that employs 4,000 local Afghans in mine action. Currently, they are mobilizing their efforts to respond to the current refugee situation and the new mine action situation

Mine Action Clearance Operations Set to Begin in Tajikistan

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in conjunction with the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) signed an agreement in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, at the end of May that will begin the first internationally-supported mine action program in Tajikistan. The following article provides a brief discussion of the landmine situation in Tajikistan and the goals of the new mine action project

Selecting an electrical power source at the scoping level for a mining project

The electrical power source is a critical component of the scoping level study as the source affects both the project economics and timeline. This paper proposes a systematic approach to selecting an electrical power source for a new mine. Orvana Minerals Copperwood project is used as a case study. The Copperwood results show that the proposed scoping level approach is consistent with the subsequent much more detailed feasibility study

Optimization of Main Exhaust Fan Systems at Battle Mountain Canada Ltd., Golden Giant Mine

In 1997, production needs required that the exhaust conditions at the Golden Giant Mine be maximized. One of the principal exhaust raises, the West Return Air Raise #1, designed to handle some 189 m3/s (400,000 cfm) but operating at 102 m3/s (216,000 cfm), was a primary candidate for optimization. This paper describes the major design changes and installation modifications carried out at this surface fan installation. The new installation not only outperformed the design expectations but also achieved the new mine exhaust requirements