The use of mixed integer programming is a modeling approach well suited to formulate the mine scheduling optimization problem for both open pit and underground mining. The resolution applied for discretizing the problem, however, has a direct effect on both the level of selectivity that can be applied to improve profitability, as well as the computational feasibility. The proposed model allows ...

Sediments recovered from the flooded mine workings of the Penn Mine, a Cu-Zn mine abandoned since the early 1960s, were cultured for anaerobic bacteria over a range of pH (4.0 to 7.5). The molecular biology of sediments and cultures was studied to determine whether sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were active in moderately acidic conditions present in the underground mine workings. Here we docum...

Researchers have worked on routing issues for adhoc-networks, VANET’s, and Wireless Sensor Networks in a normal scenario; recently there has been a recent trend towards the study on underground wireless networks and proposals for design and development for Wireless Underground Sensor Networks. This paper highlights the concept of wireless underground sensor network in the coal mine environment,...

According to the United Nations, as of the year 2000 there were 70 million landmines planted in a third of the world’s nations affecting global causality rate of up to 20,000/year, (Anderson, 2002). That is why landmine detection has attracted much attention by many research teams around the world during the last two decades; among them is our research team in Nagoya University. Anti-personnel ...

The purpose of this study was to survey the EMS (emergency medical services) personnel preparedness for major incidents in the underground mining industry in Sweden. Every year, a high number of incidents, workplace accidents and fires are reported from the Swedish mining industry. Taking care of patients located in an underground mine represents a challenge to EMS personnel. Today, knowledge a...

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration process on the concentrations and size distributions of aerosols in an underground mine. Two active regeneration strategies were examined for an electrically regenerated sintered metal fiber filtration system, and the effects were compared with those observed for a muffler and the same system oper...

Two seams at the Tab-Simco abandoned underground coal mine site in southern Illinois were mined intermittently from the 1890’s until 1955, and later surface mined. The stripping operations resulted in several break-ins into the old underground works which were later buried by mine spoil. The resulting mine pool in the lower of the two seams has been producing an average of ~150 m per day of aci...

NIOSH has developed an automated PC-based seismic event (induced earthquake) monitoring system for use in mine ground control studies. The distribution and coordination of data acquisition and processing functions across a local area network is a central feature of the system. Mine-wide installations utilize multiple, autonomous seismic networks located both underground and on the surface. Seis...

For enhancing low lumination image of underground mine tunnel, a hybrid local histogram equalization with partial differential equation is proposed to combine a local histogram equalization and total variation method with edge-stopping function via partial differential equation. The local histogram equalization is to enhance contrast of image with keeping shape and edge, while total variation m...