Experimental research of dust condition in blind drift versus applied ventilation method in machine mining of potash

Potash mining using heading and shearing machines features high-rate dust formation in blind drifts, which adversely affects miners’ working environment and production performance. The main sources of dusting are the ore rehandling points, as well as shearer drums and screw conveyors in operation. Numerical modeling implemented earlier by the present authors shows that modification of a ventilation method in blind drifts in potash mines can normalize dust conditions. These conclusions initiated pilot tests reported in this article. Procedure of experimental measurements within the pilot tests of suction, mixed-type (with prevailing suction) and blowing methods of ventilation in a blind drift during operation of a heading-andshearing machine is described. The pilot testing results prove the effect revealed earlier in numerical modeling: the suction and mixed-type ventilation methods allow a substantial decrease in dust concentration along the whole blind drift. The economic effect of the dust concentration reduction in blind drifts is the increased productivity of the mining machine system and the improved visual range in movement of mining machines. An essential factor is improvement of working conditions of miners and higher safety in operation zone of mining machines due to decreased mass concentration and dispersion of fine dust.

Levin L. Y., Sukhanov A. E., Isaevich A. G., Kozunin I. I. Experimental research of dust condition in blind drift versus applied ventilation method in machine mining of potash. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2024;(10):35-50. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/ 0236_1493_2024_10_0_35.

The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, R&D Project No. 122012000396-6.

L.Y. Levin¹, Corresponding Member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Deputy Director, Head of Department,
A.E. Sukhanov¹, Junior Researcher, e-mail: asukhanov@aerologist.ru,
A.G. Isaevich¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Leading Researcher,
I.I. Kozunin¹, Technician,
¹ Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 614007, Perm, Russia.

A.E. Sukhanov, e-mail: asukhanov@aerologist.ru.

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