Coal Mining Collapses

Due to the strict occupational health and safety legislation in Australia, coal mining collapses are an extremenly rare occurance. However, they can still happen. Thousands of miners around the world still die in mine collapses, where the risk management strategies and legislations are not as stringent as in Australia.

The last major mine collapse in Australia was in 1902 in Mount Kembla.

Mining accidents can have a variety of causes These include leaks involving poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulphide or explosive natural gases, which will eventually build up to lethal level and explode, causing a mine collapse.

Firedamp or methane build up may cause explosions.

Collapsing of mine stopes, mining-induced seismicity, flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used or malfunctioning mining equipment (such as safety lamps or electrical equipment).

Explosions underground cause vibrations which may weaken mine stopes or cause seismic complications, that can trigger methane and coal dust explosions. 

Mining accidents can have a variety of causes These include leaks involving poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulphide or explosive natural gases, which will eventually build up to lethal level and explode, causing a mine collapse.

 

Firedamp or methane build up may cause explosions.

 

Collapsing of mine stopes, mining-induced seismicity, flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used or malfunctioning mining equipment (such as safety lamps or electrical equipment).

 

Explosions underground cause vibrations which may weaken mine stopes or cause seismic complications, that can trigger methane and coal dust explosions.