Experimental Analysis of Underground Mine Ventilation System of Indian Metal Mines
Keywords:
Underground mine ventilation, metal mines India, airflow optimization, fan efficiency, thermal managementAbstract
Underground mine ventilation systems in Indian metal mines represent critical infrastructure for ensuring miner safety, productivity, and operational efficiency. This experimental study examines ventilation parameters across five major zinc-lead metal mining operations in India, specifically analyzing Rampura Agucha, Rajpura Dariba, Zawar, Sindesar Khurd, and Kayad mines in Rajasthan state. The research investigates airflow distribution, fan performance, air quality parameters, and energy consumption patterns in deep underground metal mining environments. Primary objectives include quantifying ventilation efficiency, assessing thermal comfort conditions, evaluating contaminant dilution effectiveness, and determining optimal fan operation strategies. Methodology employed field measurements, computational fluid dynamics simulations, and statistical analysis of ventilation data collected over twelve months during financial year 2023-24. Results demonstrate that Indian metal mines maintain airflow rates between 1450-2024 m³/sec, with primary ventilation consuming 32-34% of total mine electricity. Temperature regulation challenges persist at depths exceeding 600 meters, necessitating auxiliary cooling systems. Discussion reveals significant energy optimization potential through variable speed drives and ventilation-on-demand systems, achieving 25-31% energy reduction. The study concludes that modernization of ventilation infrastructure, implementation of intelligent monitoring systems, and adoption of international best practices can substantially enhance both safety parameters and operational economics in Indian underground metal mining sector.
Downloads
References
1. Acuña, E. I., & Allen, C. (2023). Ventilation control strategies for improved mine safety and energy efficiency. Mining Technology, 132(1), 15-28. https://doi.org/10.1080/25726668.2023.2165432
2. Babu, V. R., Singh, A. K., & Kumar, H. (2021). Energy optimization strategies for mine ventilation systems in Indian underground coal mines. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 31(4), 715-728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2021.05.008
3. De Souza, E. (2020). Cost-saving electrical energy consumption in underground ventilation by the use of ventilation on demand. Mining Technology, 129(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/25726668.2019.1705708
4. Directorate General of Mines Safety. (2023). Annual Report on Mine Safety Statistics in India. Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
5. Ghosh, S. K., & Majee, S. R. (2022). Assessment of environmental impacts and sustainability practices in Indian mining operations. Journal of Environmental Management, 315, 115168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115168
6. Hartman, H. L., Mutmansky, J. M., Ramani, R. V., & Wang, Y. J. (2020). Mine Ventilation and Air Conditioning (4th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
7. Kumar, R., Mishra, D. P., & Mandal, S. (2020). Numerical studies of ventilation effect on methane layering behaviour in underground coal mines. Current Science, 118(9), 1874-1881. https://doi.org/10.18520/cs/v112/i09/1874-1881
8. McPherson, M. J. (2012). Subsurface Ventilation Engineering. Mine Ventilation Services Inc.
9. Ministry of Mines, Government of India. (2024). Indian Minerals Yearbook 2023. Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur.
10. Mishra, D. P., Kumar, P., & Panigrahi, D. C. (2021). Computational fluid dynamics analysis of airflow patterns in underground mine ventilation networks. Journal of Mining and Environment, 12(2), 445-458. https://doi.org/10.22044/jme.2021.10562.2015
11. Nie, W., Wei, W., Ma, X., Liu, Y., Peng, H., & Liu, Q. (2024). Bibliometric analysis and review of mine ventilation literature published between 2010 and 2023. Heliyon, 10(4), e25133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25133
12. Rampura Agucha Technical Report. (2024). Underground Mine Ventilation System Performance Analysis FY 2023-24. Hindustan Zinc Limited, Internal Report.
13. Semin, M. A., & Levin, L. Y. (2023). Mathematical modeling of air distribution in mines considering different ventilation modes. Mathematics, 11(4), 989. https://doi.org/10.3390/math11040989
14. Semin, M. A., Grishin, E. L., Levin, L. Y., & Zaitsev, A. V. (2020). Automated ventilation control in mines: Challenges, state of the art, areas for improvement. Journal of Mining Institute, 246, 623-632. https://doi.org/10.31897/PMI.2020.6.4
15. Shriwas, M., & Pritchard, C. (2020). Ventilation monitoring and control in mines. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 37(2), 483-496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-019-00151-w
16. Singh, S. K., & Banerjee, G. (2022). Thermal stress management in deep underground metal mines of India. Mining Engineering, 74(6), 38-45.
17. Vedanta Resources. (2024). Annual Report 2023-24: Hindustan Zinc Operations. Vedanta Limited.
18. Wallace, K., Prosser, B., & Stinnette, J. D. (2019). The practice of mine ventilation engineering. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 29(2), 165-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2018.11.001
