Increasing Traceability of OHS Applications in Underground Coal Mines With Study of the Self-Combustibility

Grant Beneficiary Institution: Union of Mining Industry Employers (MASİS)

Lot and Sector Information: Lot 1: Mining / Underground Coal Mining Sector

Project Stakeholders:

  • General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG) (Participant)
  • Coal Producers Association of Turkey (Kömür-Der) (Participant)
  • Czech Extraction and Mining Technology Association (CDT) (Participant)

Project Duration: 18 months

Total Project Budget: EUR 205,283.52

Implementation Area: Ankara (Samples will be taken from underground coal mines in selected provinces and analysed)

Project Objectives: It is aimed to monitor the risk and to determine the measures to be taken to prevent accidents and to determine the OHS risks in underground coal mines through the study of the spontaneous combustion of coals.

The main objectives are;

  • Conducting studies and analyses of spontaneous combustion in underground coal mines in Turkey, creating inventories on the basis of reserves and operations.
  • Revealing the OHS risks of the inventory information on the basis of the enterprise and determining the measures to be taken against the accidents,
  • Enabling the re-assessment of OHS measures by updating the created inventories at regular intervals,
  • Organising activities that will raise the awareness of the employees, employers, inspectors of underground coal mines and the public on the subject.
  • Increasing the compliance of underground coal mines with OHS legislation and policies and raising awareness.

Activities / Outputs  : Within the scope of the project, samples will be taken and analysed for the purpose of detecting the spontaneous combustibility of coal in selected underground coal mines.

An awareness-raising workshop, where the technical activities of the project will be evaluated, will be held with a team consisting of coal producers, employers, representatives of non-governmental organisations, academics, and students. In addition, an information seminar will be held with the participation of representatives from MAPEG (General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs), MTA (General Directorate Of Mineral Research And Exploration), DGOHS (Directorate General of Occupational Health and Safety), TKİ (Turkish Coal Operations Authority), TTK (Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises), EÜAŞ (Electricity Generation Company) and KÖMÜR-DER (Coal Producers Association of Turkey).

The measurement analysis results will be published and distributed with the workshops and literature research to be held within the scope of the project, along with the guidebook to be prepared for all parties of the subject. In addition, 3-day training (half a day each at 6 locations) will be provided to experts, foremen and engineers who work in the field, and an approach will be developed for an early warning system by determining the risk of spontaneous combustion of coal.

Improving occupational health and safety in underground coal mines and raising awareness on this issue is the top priority. In addition, due to the spontaneous combustion of coal, large coal reserves are disappearing and our natural resources cannot take their place in the economy. Prevention of spontaneous combustion will result in the security of resources, the contribution of enterprises to the state and tax budget, local added value and increased employment. An increase in institutional capacity of underground coal enterprises will be ensured and awareness will be raised among investors and managers. Local development and added value will be created as the presence of enterprises developed in OHS will create investment demand for the investors. As a result of the project, a safe working environment in terms of spontaneous combustion of coal will have a positive impact on improving the quality of life of employees and their families. As a result of the project, a proposal will be prepared for the legislative change regarding spontaneous combustion of coal.

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Contact e-mail: info@masis.org.tr