Grosvenor Mine. Case Study in how NOT To Design, Construct, Develop, Manage and Regulate a Thick Seam Methane Rich Spontaneous Combustion Prone Coal Mine. Abstract QMIHS Conference 2022
This is the abstract I have submitted today for the Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference in August 2022. (200 words maximum recommended?
Grosvenor Mine. Case Study in how NOT To Design, Construct, Develop, Manage and Regulate a Thick Seam Methane Rich Spontaneous Combustion Prone Coal Mine
DNRME (now RSHQ) MRE February 2016 “Audit” of the Ventilation System
The Mine is relatively uncomplicated at present but it is anticipated that the future will present more challenging conditions especially in regard to working temperatures and effective pre-drainage of methane from Goonyella Middle seam and surrounding strata.
DNRME MRE Level Compliance Meeting 26th April 2017
The investigation also revealed the use of a process in the Grosvenor mine Safety and Health Management System that authorised non- statutory personnel to issue technical directions to statutory personnel.
The Inspectorate have determined that the use of this process is not in accordance with the intent of the Act and Regulations and should not be used.
MRE from 9th May 2018
The mine had reported 32 HPl’s since LW 102 had commenced production in January 2018. This represented 60% of all HPl’s in Queensland associated with Methane greater than 2.5% in Longwall TG
It was also acknowledged that continued HPI’s with Methane greater than 2.5% was not satisfactory and the mine must ensure that such HPI’s are minimised, and preferably eliminated going forward.
27th February 2020 LW 104 WRAC
Wouter Niehaus UMM
Increased spontaneous combustion risk due to increased gas drainage has not been assessed in this WRAC. Additional WRAC required to assess and control spon com risk.
6th May 2020
Five Face Workers critically burnt in Methane Explosion LW04 Face.
GROSVENOR INQUIRY FINDING Number 60
The Inspectorate should have been more proactive.
As a minimum Queensland Regulator/Industry needs to adopt relevant New South MDG or TRG for Underground Mine Design, Spontaneous Combustion Management and detection.
RSHQ Compliance Policy to revert to more comprehensive prior versions signed off by the then Ministers
