The coal mining industry covers resource exploration, coalfield development, coal extraction, coal storage and transportation, coal processing and conversion, and environmental protection. Coal is among the most abundant and widely distributed fuel resources in the world.
China is one of the world’s largest coal producers. As a basic energy resource in China, coal accounts for roughly 70% of the country’s primary energy consumption and plays a vital role in national economic and social development.
The coal mining industry consists of six core systems: mining, tunneling, electromechanical, transportation, ventilation and drainage, collectively known as “mining, tunneling, transportation, ventilation and drainage”. Furthermore, all coal mines in China are equipped with complete underground safety systems, including monitoring and control, personnel positioning, emergency evacuation, compressed-air self-rescue, water supply for rescue, and communication systems.
China’s coal industry maintains strong growth momentum and has bright prospects in the near future.
A variety of toxic and hazardous gases are produced in coal mining activities. Common underground irritant gases include NO, NO₂, H₂S, SO₂ and acetaldehyde. The occurrence of these gases is not seasonal; they often accumulate in goafs, working faces and blind roadways during coal mining, tunneling and haulage operations.
Methane’s flammability and explosion risk constitute one of the major mine hazards. Methane forms during coalification and is widely stored in coal seams. It presents the greatest safety threat: excessive methane and carbon monoxide concentrations may lead to methane explosions, which bring severe risks to life and property and cause serious environmental pollution.
To tackle the above challenges in coal mining, an underground environmental monitoring system can be deployed in mines. By installing multiple sensors such as combustible and toxic gas detectors, the system realizes continuous real-time monitoring of underground gas concentrations and environmental parameters, so as to prevent safety accidents and fully protect personnel safety.
