Conditions for Deciding Whether to Terminate a Fire Rescue Operation in an Underground Mine – a Systemic Decision-Making Approach

Abstract

Fires in underground metal mines primarily occur as open fires. Due to technological factors, these fires are mostly linked to heavy mining vehicles and conveyor belts. This article focuses on determining when to end fire rescue operations and when it is safe to resume mine operations. Complex mine ventilation systems, especially in areas with extensive operations, can delay the clearing of smoke and pollutants toward upcast shafts. While it is economically important to minimise downtime, safety must remain the top priority when deciding to restart operations. To aid this decision-making process, the article presents a new method for identifying danger subzones within a larger affected zone. Simulation software can model smoke dispersion in the ventilation network, and remote measurement techniques can monitor gas concentrations during fire incidents. This article demonstrates how to estimate the clearing time for smoke pollutants using actual mine data and introduces a decision algorithm for terminating fire rescue operations. The aim is to provide practical insights for mine engineers managing fire operations, supporting informed decisions about eliminating the danger zone and restoring mine operations safely and effectively.