Keeping Fire Under Wraps
In 2013, the NSW government released a report analysing all underground metalliferous mine fire incidents from 2008-2012. During this period 128 fires were reported at underground metalliferous mines for an average of 26 underground fires per year, of which mobile plant accounted for 76% of those fires. The report goes on to mention that 20% of all reportable incidents were fire related, and that fire comprised about 25% of all reportable incidents regarding mechanical plant. Of these, 18% were reported as resulting in damage to plant. Thankfully, there was only one fire-related injury during this period. The report also highlighted that the most common heat sources for fires are the exhaust system, engine surfaces and turbochargers, while the most common...