Colorado Mine Rescue May 2015 Problem The Lime and Feed Mine is a small underground limestone mine. We employ 24 miners who work two shifts a day, five days a week. It is a single level mine. Mining is done with mechanized equipment. Access is via a 12 percent decline. We normally blast once each shift. Ventilation is provided by a blowing main mine fan located at the portal and exhausts through drift #1 on the west side of the mine. The fan is on and generates 75,000 CFM. At 06:00, the foreman Tad Smith radioed that there was a fire underground. At 06:15, a pressure spike was recorded by the pressure gage on the main mine fan. All communications were lost with the crew after that. We have never had any gas problems in the past. Right now we have 5 miners underground and we don’t know what is going on or where they are. Our Mine Rescue team established a Fresh Air Base next to the exhaust drift. The Fresh Air Base cannot be moved. We are a small operation with limited supplies but you just tell us what you need and we’ll try to get it. Please help us.
Transcript
Colorado Mine Rescue May 2015
Problem
The Lime and Feed Mine is a small underground limestone mine. We employ 24 miners who work two shifts a day, five days a week. It is a single level mine. Mining is done with mechanized equipment. Access is via a 12 percent decline. We normally blast once each shift.
Ventilation is provided by a blowing main mine fan located at the portal and exhausts through drift #1 on the west side of the mine. The fan is on and generates 75,000 CFM.
At 06:00, the foreman Tad Smith radioed that there was a fire underground. At 06:15, a pressure spike was recorded by the pressure gage on the main mine fan. All communications were lost with the crew after that. We have never had any gas problems in the past.
Right now we have 5 miners underground and we don’t know what is going on or where they are.
Our Mine Rescue team established a Fresh Air Base next to the exhaust drift. The Fresh Air Base cannot be moved.
We are a small operation with limited supplies but you just tell us what you need and we’ll try to get it.
Please help us.
Colorado 2015Problem Map
Fresh Air
LHD
FAB
D
D
Caved air Tight
Cave
Unconscious Miner w/ 2nd Degree burns on Left Arm
D
C
B
A
1 2 3 4Main
14 Timbers
Loose back/Loose Ribs supportable
B
Open
Loose backsupportable
RD
D
D
D
LHD FireExtinguishable
Open
Open
Heavy SmokeCO: 2400 ppmO2: 10%
SmokeCO: 1400 ppmO2: 12%
SmokeCO: 800 ppmO2: 16%
LC
Clear Air
Colorado 2015Solution Map
Fresh Air
LHD
FAB
D
D
Caved air Tight
Cave
Patient becomes conscious after they make contact.Treatment for 2nd Degree burns on arm.Patient can walk out
D
C
B
A
1 2 3 4Main
Timbers
Loose back/Loose Ribs supportable
B
Open
Loose backsupportable
RD
D
D
D
LHD FireExtinguishableExtinguish Fire
Open
Open
After team explores and vents gases
Set Timbers5’ apart max
Construct airlock to breach, unless they explored other side
LC
Colorado 2015Vent Solution Map
Fresh Air
LHD
FAB
D
D
Caved air Tight
Cave
D
C
B
A
1 2 3 4Main
14 Timbers
B
Close
RD
D
D
D
Close
Close
Open
Patient Instructions
Do not talk, move, respond until team touches you. Then only say:
My Arm Hurts! Get me out of here!
I can walk.
A Solution Team may string out Communication line before the problem. After introductions, the captain will start the timing device before receiving the problem and the map. The FAB attendant will receive the problem and map at the same time.
There are multiple ways to explore and ventilate this mine. This will go through one solution of ventilation, proper timbering, and first aid.
Teams can only carry 2 sets of stopping materials and 8 timbers at a time.
The 1st area to timber (XC D between 3 and 4), and 2nd area (#4 between C and D)
They only need to put in enough supports to safely touch the body of the 2nd area.
Stoppings:•1. In entry 2 between cross cut A and B.•2. In entry 3 between cross cut A and B.•3. In entry 3 between cross cut C and D.•4. In the Main drift between 3 and 4.•Open the Door to the Overcast in #3.•Close the Regulator and Doors in A, B, and C.•Use a Wing Curtain to ventilate the Barricade.
Solution Continued
After ventilation change, placards are changed when the team makes gas checks at each of the locations.
Airlock is needed to breach the barricade.
1st aid of victim:
•Flush the burn with cool water or saline for several minutes.•Burn should be considered serious (on hand)•Burn should be identified as less than 9% of body (Rule of 9s)•Cover the burn area with dry, clean dressing, placing a pad between fingers•Moisten dressing (less than 9% of body)
Victim does not need to be under oxygen/apparatus to exit the mine. Should be safe the way they ventilated.
NOTE ON MAPS: After the 50’ check, the team team will not be allowed to physically compare the Team Map with the FAB Map.
NOTE ON BSI: Gloves must be changed after touching each victim.
Colorado 2015Gas Map
Fresh Air
LHD
FAB
D
D
Caved air Tight
Cave
D
C
B
A
1 2 3 4Main
14 Timbers
B
Open
RD
D
D
D
Open
Open
Heavy SmokeCO: 2400 ppmO2: 10%
SmokeCO: 1400 ppmO2: 12%
SmokeCO: 800 ppmO2: 16%
LC
Clear Air
Colorado 2015Construction Map
115’
100’
15X20
10’
D
10’
5’
20X20
20X20
B
D
RD
D
D
D
10’ 3’ 12’
Paint
12’
3’
Body @ 10’ from top corner
Paint
Paint3’
Colorado 2015Placard Map
D
D
D
C
B
A
1 2 3 4
B
D
D
D
D
1 23
19
18
17
161514
1312
12
11 1021
8
7
65
4
5
5 5
6
6 6
7
8
8
8
22
920
1011
11
11 11
1414
15
17
18
Placard Master1. FAB 1
2. Wing Curtain 1
3. Timbers 14
4. Brattice w/ Frames 1
5. Permanent Stopping 4
6. Permanent Stopping w/ Door Open/Closed 4
7. Regulator Open/Closed 2
8. Overcast Wall w/ Door Closed/Open 4
9. #1234 JOHN JACKSON DEAD 1•GAS CLEAR AIR 2
11. GAS O2-16% /CLEAN AIR 5
CO-800
SMOKE
12. GAS O2-12% /CLEAN AIR 2
CO-1400
SMOKE
13. GAS O2-10% /CLEAN AIR 1
CO-2400
HEAVY SMOKE•UNSAFE BACK 3•LOOSE RIB/UNSCALABLE 2
16. LHD FIRE/EXTINGUISHED 1•CAVED IMPASSABLE NOT AIRTIGHT 2•CAVED IMPASSABLE AIRTIGHT 2•BARRICADE 1•#1336 HARLEY JACKLEG JR. DEAD 1•#1477 HARLEY JACKLEG SR. DEAD 1•#9998 TIM JIMMONS DEAD 1
