Development of a new methodology for evaluation of spontaneous fire risk potential and rating of underground coal mine panels in bord and pillar method of mining in India

This is an innovative user-fhendly prediction model developed for evaluation of spontaneous fire risk potential and rating of underground coal mine panels in bord and pillar workings. It is based on qualitative effect of fire risk parameters on underground panels, and to some extent dependent on experience of the user. Here, major fire risk parameters associated with spontaneous heating of panels are short-listed and divided into three broad groups in accordance with the nature of their contribution. The paper describes vividly the procedure for estimation of fire risk rating of individual groups using separate objective type models developed for this purpose and then it evaluates the overall fire risk potential and rating of all the three groups. This model may be applied to a panel where extraction is carried out using any of the techniques: (i) depillaring with formation of small pillars as final operation, (ii) extraction by broadening of galleries, (iii) depillaring with hydraulic sand stowing, and (iv) depillaring with caving. The model is tested with the field data collected from different collieries spreading across the country and the laboratory data for critical assessment of fitness. Some results showing the validity of the model are also cited here