2nd Workings Notice. Section320 Notices to Inspector (1) Before second workings are started at an underground mine, the site senior executive for the mine must give an inspector notice about the proposed second workings. The procedure must provide for establishing methods for the following—coal extraction; (ii) strata control and support; ventilation; controlling spontaneous combustion;
The SOP and Notices to be made to The Mines Inspectorate prior to Longwall Operations commencing
The Inspectors do not approve it.
The plan and SOP must
The procedure must provide for establishing—
(a) methods for the following—
(i) coal extraction;
(ii) strata control and support;
(iii) ventilation;
(iv) controlling spontaneous combustion;
(v) monitoring and recording extraction progress; and (b) the
coal extraction sequence.
The idea is that the Inspectors can tell them it is not good enough/does not adequately control risk, go back and do it again.
The Inspectorate were well aware of the ventilation method that would be employed and the gas drainage deficiencies.
Grosvenor failed in particular in the 2nd and 3rd blocks and as Smith acknowledges the risk in 104 is higher
Division 3 Second workings
313 Risk assessment
(1) The underground mine manager for an underground mine must ensure a risk assessment
is carried out under this section to decide a safe method of extraction for second workings at the mine before the second workings start.
(2) The risk assessment must have regard to at least the following matters—
(a) any surface features, artificial structures and water reserves that may create a hazard if disturbed by the workings;
(b) any other workings located in close proximity above, below or adjacent to the proposed second workings, whether in the same or an adjacent mine;
(c) the known geology affecting the intended workings;
(d) the anticipated gas make;
(e) the pillar stability;
(f) the proposed method and sequence of coal extraction;
(g) the proposed methods for the following—
(i) strata control and support;
(ii) ventilation;
(iii) controlling spontaneous combustion;
(h) support methods necessary to control the edges of each goaf area in active workings;
(i) the suitability of the plant, and its controls, used for the workings.
318 Standard operating procedure
(1) An underground mine must have a standard operating procedure for carrying out second workings.
(2) The procedure must be based on the results of the risk assessment mentioned in section 317.
(3) The mine must have a separate procedure for each panel in the mine.
(4) However, if the hazards in each panel in a group of panels are the same, the mine may have a standard operating procedure for the group.
(5) The procedure must provide for establishing—
(a) methods for the following—
(i) coal extraction;
(ii) strata control and support;
(iii) ventilation;
(iv) controlling spontaneous combustion;
(v) monitoring and recording extraction progress; and (b) the
coal extraction sequence.
319 Changing standard operating procedure
(1) This section applies to an underground mine if—
(a) the conditions or hazards in a panel, or group of panels, in the mine changes significantly while coal is being extracted in the panel or group in second workings; or
(b) it is proposed to significantly change a method for the workings established under
section 318(5)(a).
(2) If subsection (1)(a) applies—
(a) the underground mine manager for the mine must ensure a risk assessment for the workings is carried out as soon as practicable after the change happens; and
(b) the standard operating procedure for carrying out the workings in the panel, or group of panels, must be reviewed and, based on the risk assessment, amended, if necessary.
(3) If subsection (1)(b) applies, before the change is implemented—
(a) the underground mine manager for the mine must ensure a risk assessment is carried out for the proposed change; and
(b) the standard operating procedure for carrying out the workings must be amended, if necessary, based on the risk assessment.
320 Notices to inspector
(1) Before second workings are started at an underground mine, the site senior executive
for the mine must give an inspector notice about the proposed second workings.
(2) Before the mine’s standard operating procedure for second workings is significantly
changed, the site senior executive must give an inspector a copy of—
(a) the report on the risk assessment carried out under section 319(3)(a) for the change; and
(b) the proposed standard operating procedure.
(3) Despite subsection (2), the site senior executive may change the standard operating
procedure before giving an inspector the documents mentioned in the subsection if—
(a) the procedure needs to be changed immediately because of prevailing mining conditions; and
(b) immediately after the change is made, the underground mine manager for the mine notifies an
inspector about the circumstances and details of the change; and
(c) as soon as practicable after the change is made, the site senior executive gives an inspector the documents mentioned in the subsection.
(4) In this section— significant change, for a standard operating procedure for second workings, means a change that is likely to significantly affect the ventilation, stability, subsidence or extraction sequence of the workings.
