New and developing communication systems enable underground miners to not only connect to the surface from an increased communication coverage area but also to be discovered in the event of an emergency. Communication and tracking systems are required by MSHA regulations, aiming to enhance health and safety and routine production in underground operations. Modeling a mine?s potential communication coverage area will increase overall coverage and efficiency of the communication network itself. Modeling the propagation of wireless communications enables ideal broadcast locations to be found when designing a communications network. Strategic placement of broadcast devices results in a reliable communication network that can better withstand disruption in both daily operation and emergencies. This paper will discuss recent regulatory developments in underground coal communication systems, the implementation of these new technologies, and how communication system?s networks can be modeled and analyzed using computer simulations.
Numerous Colorado mountain tunnels that date to the late 1800s convey water to the farming
and urban communities of the eastern Front Range. Repairs to these remote facilities, often located in public
lands at altitudes of 11,000 feet or more, require detailed planning, close coordination with multiple agencies,
and creative execution. Issues and solutions discussed include designing repairs in undocumented ground
and support conditions, logistical challenges, work in a short summer construction window, stabilization of
historically signicant structures, and proect delivery strategies. xamples that illustrate early contractor
involvement, exibility in design, and construction solutions are presented.
By David Wright, Jerome Chamfray, Anthony Harding, Brian Boye
Conway’s Law states that unless we intentionally design automation tools around what we need, we will simply replicate our existing processes. While we may achieve some savings this way, there is an opportunity for greater benefits if we re-imagine the way we, as an industry, perform design. This paper examines current technology and shows how even small departures from merely encoding what we currently do could reap significant benefits. From these examples a framework is developed for a new and innovative approach tvo automation that will allow us to design more quickly, to a higher quality, and communicate outcomes more effectively.
By Sakshi Hazuria Anderson, Angela Binder, Oscar Jaime Restrepo Baena, Simit Raval, Sandra Nowosad
As the mining industry faces times of change,
new challenges arise to ensure raw material
supply for future generations. Different scenarios
are currently shaping the way we mine and
teach mining engineering. Led by an increasing
demand for raw materials, net-zero requirements
for improving long-term operation performance,
technological advancements such as automation
and digitalization, safety improvements,
environmental considerations and a need for
social acceptance, mining is pursuing to change
and adapt to these requirements at a faster pace.
Such changing times raise new concerns,
one of the most relevant is the lower number
of students interested or enrolling in mining
engineering and related fields, leaving mining
engineering as one of the less preferred career
options for students. Nonetheless, it is essential to
continue addressing and supplying the skill sets
that are suited to the contemporary and future
mining industry. To this end, globally, academia
is currently undergoing several initiatives such
as curricula updates and adaptation, upskilling,
improving teaching practices and techniques,
including e-learning techniques, enhancing
industry-academia and inter-university
collaboration, and much more.
In countries like Australia, where mining
plays a crucial role in the economy, the need
for curriculum updates is more pressing than
ever. As the mining industry evolves with new
technologies and sustainable practices, there is a
growing demand for a workforce skilled in these
modern approaches. Recognizing this necessity,
universities such as the University of New
South Wales and Curtin University have taken
significant steps to revamp their educational
programs. By updating their academic offerings,
both universities aim to equip graduates with
the necessary skills to drive innovation and
sustainability in mining, supporting Australia’s
development as a leader in this critical sector.
Moreover, the selection of topics that drive
curricula update and the focus of the research
institutions in mining engineering must extend
beyond mere technological and technical aspects
to include social and ethical dimensions. In this
context, the Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
in association with the Colorado School of
Mines, has introduced the topic of humanitarian
engineering (HE) in 2020. HE is a sociotechnical
approach that focuses on developing engineering
solutions that promote the sustainable
development of communities addressing
their basic needs and aiming to improve their
quality of life (Menéndez-Aguado et al., 2023;
Smith et al., 2023). By focusing on sustainable
development, community engagement and
equitable resource distribution, HE helps
the industry build positive relationships with
stakeholders, reduce conflicts and foster social
license to operate. As the mining industry seeks
sustainable and socially responsible practices,
future engineers require training in this area to
understand the broader impacts of their work,
fostering a mindset that prioritizes community
well-being and environmental stewardship
alongside technical proficiency.
However, developing skills toward
humanitarian engineering and sustainable mining
among new generations of mining professionals
remains a complex task. Integrating the
necessary content to prepare future engineers
for the multifaceted demands of the industry
into a single study program poses significant
challenges. To address these complexities,
modern educational approaches such as the ones
integrated in the mining engineering programs
at Clausthal University of Technology can be
leveraged to enhance both teaching and learning
experiences (Binder, 2024b; Bothe-Fiekert et al.,
2023; Nowosad et al., 2024). Innovative teaching
methods, such as blended-learning, project-based
learning, case studies, scenario simulations and
interdisciplinary collaborations, can help bridge
gaps by fostering critical
thinking, creativity and
empathy among students.
By embracing modern
pedagogical strategies,
institutions can better equip
future engineers to navigate
the evolving landscape of the
mining industry responsibly
and effectively.
Designing And Modeling Wireless Mesh Communications In Underground Coal Mines