ARCHIVE

Roof control plans, pillar design spotlighted following death

FEDERAL officials urge operations nationwide to ensure approved roof control plans match mining c...

Staff Reporter

This article is 11 years old. Images might not display.

Continuous mining machine operator Lenny Gilliam, 56, died August 6 at Arch Coal’s Lone Mountain Processing Huff Creek No. 1 underground operation in eastern Kentucky following a coal rib outburst.

The US Mine Safety and Health Administration said in its preliminary findings from the Harlan County event that the section crew was retreat mining at the time in the mine’s first right lift of the No. 3 entry in a five-entry system.

Two other miners were injured, one of them seriously. They were identified as Terry Scott and Johnny Nantz.

In an effort to prevent future similar incidents at other mines, MSHA has asked operators to ensure the support provisions of their respective approved roof control plans are suitable for the mine’s geological conditions and the plan is being followed.

Roof and rib control methods should be adequate for the depth of cover and for the potential effects of any mines above or below active workings.

The agency is also urging the development of a map indicating geological features and anomalies to determine orientation as a means to predict when and where they could be encountered during mining. This also permits the use of additional roof support that can focus on those areas.

MSHA is asking mines to maintain proper entry widths and pillar dimensions, and conduct frequent and adequate examinations of the mine’s roof, face and ribs.

“Be alert for changing conditions,” investigators said.

“When hazardous conditions are detected, danger off access to the area until it is made safe for work and travel.”

Federal officials said that, when gob falls have been delayed for periods exceeding routine intervals for current mining conditions, the area should be completely evaluated and the operator should consider evacuating miners and equipment to a safe area until the fall occurs.

Gilliam’s death was the 12th in coal in 2013, the second in Kentucky, and the first this year to be classified to be fall of face, rib or highwall.

The fatal accident at Huff Creek was also the mine’s fourth in 11 years. Two miners died there in 2002 and a single death was recorded in 2006.

Its non-fatal days lost rate has been consistently below the national average over that period.

According to federal data, an MSHA inspection at the 124-worker mine that has been ongoing since July 1 has so far resulted in 13 alleged violations. Some of those have been for roof control violations.

Huff Creek was idle for the federal, state and internal investigations.

Its operating status Tuesday was active, according to federal data.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence: Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024

Exclusive research for Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024 shows mining companies are embracing cutting-edge tech

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets