Experts state that mines are used in all areas of our lives and say that science and technology should be used more widely and extensively for safe production in underground and surface mines. Occupational Safety Specialist Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, stating that causes such as collapses, gas explosions, rockfalls, and employing inexperienced workers are among the dangers that can be encountered in underground mines, reminded that careful control should be carried out in underground mines.
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, Deputy Dean of Uskudar University Faculty of Health Sciences and Occupational Safety Specialist, and Lecturer Mining Engineer Ertuğrul Kaya, most recently, regarding the mining accident that occurred in Siirt, which claimed the lives of 3 people, made a reminder about the importance of occupational health and safety in mines and underground structures.
Mines Carry Many Risks!
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, stating that mines have entered our daily lives in all areas such as the machinery, equipment, goods, vehicles, and construction we currently use, said, 'We can also refer to mines as rocks with economic value. Mines close to the surface are extracted by open-pit mining methods, while if the mine is deep underground, they are extracted by underground mining methods.'
Bingöl stated the significant hazards and risks that can be encountered in underground mines in terms of occupational safety as follows:
'Causes such as collapses in galleries or tunnels opened underground, gas explosions, rockfalls, accidents caused by machinery and equipment, gas poisonings, entanglement in rotating parts, explosions, electric shocks, and employing inexperienced workers can be listed.'
Step-by-Step Safe Mining
Bingöl noted that cavities such as galleries, tunnels, shafts, and declines (inclined gallery-tunnel) are opened underground to reach the ore and for drilling, blasting, excavation, loading, and transportation to the surface. 'Through these opened cavities, people, materials, and air enter, and at the same time, ore is extracted to the surface from these galleries. These galleries and tunnels opened underground are excavated within rock. The rock unit's strength is determined by performing geological and hydrogeological rock mechanics tests. Based on this scientific report, an appropriate support system is selected to prevent collapses and rockfalls in galleries and tunnels. At the same time, care is taken to use the correct support system in areas where the ore is produced. The support system is regularly checked periodically. Periodic rockfall inspections are carried out,' he said.
The Integration of Technology into Mines is Important…
Lecturer Mining Engineer Ertuğrul Kaya emphasized that university and industry cooperation is very important in the scientific reports to be prepared on these issues, and pointed out that their widespread adoption will contribute to safe production in mines in the light of science.
Kaya, stating that the integration of technology into mines is also very important, said, 'Let's prevent accidents through systems such as early warning systems. In short, for safe production, we must strive for science and technology to enter mines more and more every day. Because mines are used in all areas of our lives. Science and technology should be used more widely and extensively for safe production in underground and surface mines. Emphasis should be placed on the use of advanced machinery and equipment in mining operations.