USA Mine Explosion Summary
This research report examines 25 recent mine explosion disasters in the United States and in foreign countries. The official investigation reports of these disasters were consulted to understand and identify the main factors causing the explosions and steps that could have been taken to prevent them. Specifically, researchers focused on
the circumstances that led to each explosion
what monitoring systems had been in place to warn of the explosion hazards
what additional safeguards had been in place
where safeguards had failed
What best practices could be offered to mine management to prevent such explosions.
Common themes to these mine explosions are
Inadequate ventilation that leads to the accumulation of methane gas
Failure to monitor mine ventilation and to notice the methane accumulations
Inadequate inertization of explosive coal dust
Carelessness in the control of ignition sources, including explosives used for blasting, smoking materials and sparks from mechanical cutting.
Mine explosion hazards have been aggravated by the increasing amount of fine coal dust produced by highly mechanized mining equipment. Also, greater production rates tend to produce more methane that must be diluted by the ventilation system.