Feds Propose Concrete Pipe System for Escaping Mines

November 8, 2007

  • November 8, 2007 at 2:32 am
    argghhh. says:
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    only read the headline and had to wonder where the mines are escaping to and how they do it.

  • November 8, 2007 at 3:21 am
    caffiend says:
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    Actually that is a good question, what sort of explosive forces or crushing forces could one of these pipes resist?

    Also how much force do some of these mine explosions generate? I’ve heard of coal or grain dust flash fires/explosions, but have never really seen any sort of numbers. Anyone know or where to find this?

  • November 8, 2007 at 3:52 am
    . says:
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    Why not give every miner a portable GPS device? Then in the event of a collapse, their location can be pinpointed quickly.

    No doubt the Mine Association will whine about the cost…but just ignore them and make them pay.

  • November 8, 2007 at 4:24 am
    Cal says:
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    Brilliant !!!! Do GPS units work a mile underground? If they do, it would be easier to find the bodies.

  • November 8, 2007 at 4:38 am
    My thought exactly says:
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    How would a GPS acquire a satellite signal at even the 1000 level?

  • November 8, 2007 at 4:52 am
    caffiend says:
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    The problem with the suggested solution (outside of the obvious one of reception) is the same one that they are currently experiencing with the emergency air packs. The theft & sale of the said emergency equipment by individuals that fail to realize that they may be the next one to need the equipment.

  • November 9, 2007 at 12:05 pm
    Bob says:
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    I’m skeptical – if a government regulator can come up with such a simple solution to save trapped miners, one that has escaped highly educated mining engineers for years, then I guess I many have to change my mind about the intelligence level of government workers (or mining engineers)

    On the GPS idea, if they could get a signal out don’t you think they’d be pulling out their cell phone to “phone home”? (although ET was persistant and resourcefull enough to finally send a signal)

  • November 9, 2007 at 1:13 am
    J50 says:
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    I’ve heard that pressure in underground mines can be so great, that the coal seam will turn from black to an almost reddish color. If you think of miners being injured or killed from a piece of coal falling from a roof a foot or so above their head, imaging having the same mass essentially being shot out from the coal seam because of the pressure. Could this pipe withstand such a blow? I believe you mainly see these intense pressure build ups in longwall type operations where there can be a large amount of cover (ground above you). I fail to see how a concrete tube would be able to withstand such pressures in the event of a catastrophe. Would there also be some sort of monitoring system in place to ensure the pipe system is clear from any debris?

    Also, the height of some mines in the central appalachia basin are extremely low, the diameter of this pipe system would not even fit. Which brings up another point, some individuals may have larger waists than the given 42″ max diameter indicated, not even to mention the belts with their mine light batteries attached to it which would cause for a larger diameter.

  • November 9, 2007 at 2:52 am
    caffiend says:
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    Might want to double check your math J50. the pipes would have a 3-1/2 foot diameter (you may be thinking circumfernce).

    However you do have a point that these tubes may not fit.

  • November 9, 2007 at 3:41 am
    J50 says:
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    I must have Friday on the mind, thank you for the correction as you are right. That should hopefully provide enough room to crawl through with gear on, but might still be a little snug and would be very tiring if it was a deep mine. As we’re thinking worst case scenario, if a miner was not able to physically make it out, would others be able to help get them through, or get around the miner to get some sort of rescue device for the disabled miner?

    Have you seen the S-MINER Act? I don’t see several/many of the items addressed in the act as being feasible.



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