1 Breath of fresh air With no aspect of underground mine safety more fundamental than proper ventilation, various modern systems are being used to ensure airflow is safe for workers BY BREE FREEMAN When it comes to underground mine workings, few things are more important than adequate ventilation
Every year enormous efforts are made to maintain and improve airflow to working areas
This is to dilute emissions below statutory limits, render the air harmless, carry away hazardous contaminants and provide necessary levels of oxygen for the miners
As a result, ventilation systems form a crucial pan of the design of any mine, the layout of which is determined by the orebody geology, legislation, available manpower, mining methods and the equipment used
Specific environmental issues such as v