1. Er. S.RATNAKER
M.E, M.I.E.
DDMS( MECH.)
DGMS, DHANBAD
Er. D.B.NAIK
F.I.E
Dy. DGMS(Mech)
DGMS, DHANBAD

2. MINING EQUIPMENT PLAYS PARAMOUNT ROLE FOR
IMPROVING OF PRODUCTION, PRODUCTIVITY AND
SAFETY IN MINES. MECHANIZATION OF UNDERGROUND
MINES IN INDIA HAS BEEN WITNESSING A RAPID
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT THESE DAYS.
USE OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, INSTRUMENTS
& MATERIALS HAD IN THE PAST RESULTED IN FEW
ACCIDENTS, DISASTERS & DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES.
THIS HAD LED TO FRAMING OF MINES SAFETY
LEGISLATION, REQUIRING SPECIFIC APPROVAL FOR
EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL FROM “CHIEF INSPECTOR
OF MINES”.

3. The developments in Mechanization of
Underground Mines introduced following
mining equipment for Shearing/Cutting/
Drilling of coal and removed the hazards
associated with blasting of Coal:
Longwall Equipment with Automation
Continuous Miner with Diesel Utility vehicles
Bolter Miner(CM with in-built Bolting
system)
Twin Boom Bolter
Road header, etc

4. LONGWALL EQUIPMENT

6. CONTINUOUS MINER

8. ROAD HEADER

9. The following are the main Safety features to
be provided in these equipment:
Pre-start Warning with Audio Visual Alarm.
Pull chord/ Push button type emergency
system around the equipment near presence of
man power.
Stop button with locking system to prevent Un-
authorized operation.
Over-load tripping systems
Protective Canopy, where ever required.
Water interlock.
Effective Dust suppression system.

10.  Suitable Fire suppression system.
 Temperature monitoring and tripping system.
 Low-oil level tripping system.
 CH4 (Methane) monitoring system.
 Interlocks for operations wherever required.
 Only Fire Resistant Hydraulic Fluids and Fire
Resistant High Pressure Hydraulic Hoses are to
be used.
 All the electricals used in the Equipment shall be
of Intrinsically safe/FLP type and duly approved
by DGMS.

11. Further, the advances in Mine transportation
equipment introduced the following
equipment for transportation of Men and
Material:
Low Profile Load Haul Trucks
Diesel Utility Vehicles
Shuttle Cars
Mine Cruisers (Diesel operated)
Mono rail transportation systems
Manipulator

12. LOW PROFILE
TRUCKS

16.  No equipment using either Electrical power or I.C.
engine power shall be used in underground coal
mines unless its Electricals and Internal Combustion
Engine are of a type approved by the Director
General of Mines Safety by an order in writing and is
maintained in its designed condition.
 All the FRHF’s, High pressure hydraulic hoses and
Cables used in the equipment shall conform to the
General Orders issued by DGMS.
 The materials used in the equipment shall not be
incendive to sparking.

17.  All Rubber-tyred Loaders and those crawler Loaders
traveling at speed exceeding 4 kmph shall be fitted with
adequate service brakes and suitable parking brake.
 An audible warning device located conveniently near
the operator such as gong bell or horn shall be
provided on each machine.
 Red light reflecting material such as fluorescent paint
etc. should be provided on each end of all mobile
machines.
 Each machine shall be provided with headlight fittings
on the front and rear of machine.
 Each machine shall be provided with an audio visual
alarm to be operated preferably automatically during
movement in reverse direction.

18.  An efficient portable fire extinguisher of minimum 1 Kg
capacity of appropriate type so placed as to be within
reach of operator shall be provided on each machine.
 A seat for SDL driver, and such arrangement of the
controls that the driver can see ahead without leaning out
of the SDL when running the SDL shall be provided.
 A protective canopy or structure to protect the driver
from falling objects or in event of a SDL overturning
shall be provided.
 A temperature gauge, temperature switch to cut off the
power in event of hydraulic oil temperature exceeds safe
limit.
 A pressure gauge for hydraulic system shall be provided.

19.  A Filter condition indicator shall be provided
 A foot operated dead man type switch shall be provided.
 Low oil level tripping system shall be provided.
 All electrically driven rubber tyred loaders shall be
provided with a cable reeling drum for efficient and safe
handling of electric cable the crawler mounted SDL
should preferably be provided with cable reel for coiling
the trailing cable.
 Earth leakage Relay & Over Load Relay
 Cable Reel Drum Door Interlock
 Over Riding Limit Switch, Dump Valve, Foot Switch
 Locking Arrangement for Stop Button
 Bucket Arm Locking Pin

20.  No engine other than that worked by liquid fluid of
Flash point not less than 680
c (1500
F) shall be used.
The Engine will be of Compression Ignition type.
 Any starting arrangement other than manual shall not
be used unless permitted in writing by the Director
General of Mines Safety.
 A suitable air filter to clean the air entering the engine.
 A suitable flame arrester between the air cleaner and
the inlet manifold of the engine and so attached as to
be capable of being readily removed for inspection,
cleaning or repair.
 A suitable exhaust conditioner on the exhaust system
to cool, dilute and render the exhaust gases harmless.
Conditions for Diesel Engines

21.  The final diluted exhaust gases shall be discharged
in such a manner that they are directed away from
the operator’s compartment and also away from
the breathing zones of persons likely to be along
side , the locomotive.
 A suitable flame arrester on the exhaust system to
prevent emission of flame or sparks or discharge of
heated particles to be positioned after the exhaust
conditioner and so attached as to be capable of
being readily removed for inspection, cleaning and
repair:
 Provided that if the exhaust air conditioner is of
such a design that it does not require provision of
separate flame arrester, the Director-General of
Mines Safety subject to such conditions as may
approve the arrangement he may specify in
writing.

22. A safety device to automatically shunt off fuel supply
to the engine Immediately if the temperature of the
exhaust gases discharged from the conditioner
exceeds 850
c.
A safety device to automatically shut off fuel supply
to the engine immediately if the water level in the
conditioner falls below safe level prescribed by the
manufacturer and prevent restarting of the engine
until the water level is replenished.
An attachment for a pressure gauge for measuring
the back pressure in the exhaust system and for
connecting a suitable gas sampling equipment.
The cooling system for exhaust gases shall be
constructed of corrosion resistant material.

23.  Globalization and liberalization has resulted in
the relaxation of import of Mining equipment and
at the same time, the Foreign Manufacturers are
ready to supply their existing products with
required modifications to suit the mine
conditions.
 While underground equipment should be
selected to suit the mine, it is equally true that the
mine should be designed to suit the equipment.
 It is impossible to begin mine planning and
scheduling without a good idea of the type and
size of equipment.

24. The most important questions to be considered
while selecting any Underground Mining equipment
include:
Whether the standards followed in Design of the
Equipment are at par with your country standards or
Internationally accepted standards?
Whether the Equipment/sub-assemblies conform
to the Statutory obligations of the Regulatory bodies
of your country?
Whether the Testing of the equipment was carried
out at any Internationally accredited laboratory
conforming to any Internationally accepted
standard?

25. Whether the equipment is suitable to the
proposed Mine conditions? parameters like:
Geo-mining parameters (gradient, seam
thickness, width of galleries, etc)
Physcio-Mechanical properties of roof and floor
(Strata and ground pr.),
Strength of Coal
Mine Environmental conditions (Temperature,
Humidity and Dust)
Transportation route
Gassiness
Quality of ground water

26. Does the equipment is provided with the required
safety devices and interlock arrangements to ensure
the safety of the working personnel/equipment.
Does the Manufacturer is capable of preparing Risk
assessment of the equipment considering the Mine
conditions?
What kind of training and certification would be
provided to operators and maintenance personnel by
the Manufacturer?
Does the manufacturer have service facilities with
trained personnel to reach your mine within an hour
or two by road? If not, is it willing to establish such
facilities on the basis of your order?

27. Does the manufacturer provide spare parts in
your mine store on a consignment basis, so that
you may pay only when they are used?
Does the manufacturer stock a comprehensive
range of spare parts in country for the specific
model that you are buying? What would be the
likely delivery time?
What is the reputation of the manufacturer for
service and spares backup in your region?
How long would it take to obtain major
components if needed, which are not stocked in
the country and what would be the cost of its
urgent air freight?

28. Does the manufacturer offer maintenance and
consumables on a fixed cost per hour or per metre
or per ton basis, establishing its own maintenance
workforce on site?
Whether the level of technology or automation
used in the equipment can be understood and
supported by the operators and maintenance
team?
Whether the Equipment can be transported to the
workplace without any hurdles?
What is the previous Performance and Reliability
of the Equipment?

29. Conclusion:
It is better to plan the mine with a fleet of
Equipment with standardization so that
Interchangability is possible.
In general, the longer the supply lines to
the mine and the less educated the workforce,
the more robust and less innovative should be
the technology.

30. THANK YOU
EQUIPMENT SAFETY
PERSONNEL SAFETY
PRODUCTIVITY
PROSPERITY OF NATION
With my sincere gratitude to
Sri. Rahul Guha
Director General of Mines Safety