US Mine Safety and Health Administration new technology program manager Dave Chirdon presented an update on system approvals late last week to the conference’s sizable crowd, noting that in the “next couple weeks” the industry should see an official deadline of June 15, 2011, for placement of federally approved devices.
Importantly, if a district manager determines that the deadline cannot be met by a mine for the system outlined in its emergency response plan, MSHA will require a new ERP be filed that specifies a new system which can be installed by the outlined date.
According to the latest data from Chirdon’s office which was presented at last week’s forum, the industry still has much work ahead. Federal officials have approved ERPs for 500 US operations to date. Of those, just 117 mines – 23% – have complete installations of their chosen systems.
Chirdon noted that of the approved ERPs, 50.4% included a leaky feeder system. Wired mesh is the next most popular with 27.8% of mines selecting the technology, and 19.2% of operations have outlined plans for wireless mesh.
MSHA also provided an update on its approval activity for communications and tracking systems, noting that it has approved 200 applications since the establishment of the MINER Act four years ago. Of those, 168 were new system applications and 63 involved revisions to existing approved products.
Currently, Chirdon said, the agency has 37 applications for communications and tracking systems still under evaluation. He did not indicate the number of new versus revised inquiries, nor when those reviews could be concluded.
He did note that the agency was seeing a trend of expansion with manufacturers of the product, with wired mesh system producers exploring the potential for wireless systems in their lines. Even some producers of text message-only devices are pursuing technology options which include voice capabilities.
Additionally, MSHA is witnessing a trend with communications and tracking manufacturers adding capabilities to their systems, with features such as gas monitoring, continuous monitoring and collision warning.
Looking ahead, Chirdon said the agency’s plans for the next six to 12 months involved focusing on systems installations and inspection of mine ERPs as well as an assessment of technological performance.
When the official deadline is released, MSHA is also planning to publish supporting guidance to operations still needing to make decisions on their chosen technology and submit their mandated plans.
The annual SME/PCMIA event wrapped Friday afternoon. Dates for 2011 have not yet been announced.
