Telkom The Empl Dear Sir / Department of Mineral Resources and Energy [MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTORATE — NORTHERN CAPE uilding, 41 Sehmidis Deft Road, Corner Schmidt Drift and Drakensberg Road, Carters Glen, ‘Kimberley 8301, Tel: 053 807 1735, Fax: 053 832 5671 Reference No: CIOM -INSTR. OH-01-2022 Enquiries: T Mateta Email: tumeio mateta@dmre gov.za Date: 11 February 2022 loyer ladam, INSTRUCTIONS ON MINE FIRES, EXPLOSIONS AS WELL AS EMERGENCY PREPARI DNESS AND RESPONSE IN CONFINED MINING SPACES INCLUDING UNDERGROUND WORKINGS. 1. Back; The o Minin areas, quanti a mins from 5 dange! round ‘urrence of mine fires remains a general challenge in the South African Industry (SAMI). Mine fires are particularly dangerous in confined working the quantity of smoke and noxious fumes produced in relation to the limited of fresh air present and the restricted ability to escape quickly in case of fire or smoke. Since 2004, the mining industry has reported 94 fatalities 4 mine fires; more than 140 fire related injuries and a total of more than 70 jous occutrences directly related to fires. Of the reported fire incidents, three were major arising from inclined rubberized belt conveyor installations and have resulte| in coal Contin in multiple mine fatalities. Also, ignitions of flammable gas and coal dust imines have historically been a major cause of fatalities. jous efforts to prevent fire incidents at mines, have led to the implementation of measures such as reviewed legislation, improved standards of mine prevent ventilation, technical developments, and greater awareness of fire ion methods at mines,Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Instructign(s) The following instructions are issued as an additional measure to prevent mine fires and thereby ensuring the health and safety of persons at mines. The employer must ensure that at least the following key areas are addressed: 2.1 Fire Prevention Controls 2.1.1. Risk Assessment ii, De¥elopment and implementation of a procedure on the conducting of risk assessment at the mine, with due consideration given to the composition of the required competent team. A fife risk assessment done in accordance with the risk assessment procedure, is conducted on but not limited to: - conveyor belts, fire detection & suppression systems, trackless mobile machinery), with a subsequent plan developed on the management of the identified and assessed significant risks. Establishment of an integrated risk assessment-based system to ensure that fire Fisk management processes and equipment (in relation to but not limited to: ~ conveyor belts, fire suppression systems, trackless mobile machinery) are adequately considered during the design/planning and implementation phases therbof. Consultation with and collaboration between the relevant mining technical discjplines and subject matter experts on the fire risk assessment aspects during the design, planning, implementation and operational phase(s) ‘A ebmprehensive review of existing and planned ventilation strategies to minimise the risk of personnel being exposed to conveyor belt related fires with the use of appropriate modelling packages,Department of Mineral Resources and Energy 21.2 Ssprevor Belt Installation and management All workings, at both fiery and non-fiery mines must be made of fire retardant textile and reinforced design, as per SANS 971-2013, as amended. The employer must develop and implement a plan to phase out the existing non-fire-retardant tex onveyor belt installations in confined mining spaces including underground conveyor belts, and such plan must be submitted to the Principal Inspector of mines within 60 days after this instruction has been issued. NB} All non-fire-retardant textile conveyor belts should be phased out no later than the period of 12 months after the issuing of this instruction. Existing Conveyor Belts in underground workings that are already installed in an intake airway should be prioritised in terms of phasing out of the non-fire-retardant textile conveyor belts. ‘The employer must keep a record of procurement, toxicity test, flame resistance and| propagation test, storage, installation, maintenance and discarding for all conveyor belts, The| employer must test all conveyor belts in confined mining spaces including underground workings for toxicity, flame resistance and propagation to verify that the belts are safe and fire-retardant. These tests must be conducted in line with) relevant safe standards on methods for assessment of fire propagation along a conveyor belt when it is exposed to a heat source on a larger scale. A conveyor belt installation must be at a separate ventilation district and be ventilated directly to the Return Airway (RAW). Based on the risk assessment outcomes, @ monitoring system must be put in lace to monitor the conveyor belt whilst in operationvil Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Ensure that the main service columns, electrical supply cables, communication systems are safely positioned in line with the mine’s risk assessment in the conveyor belt area. Ensure that electrical sub-stations are safely constructed away from the conveyor belt area, Install controls which will prevent the onset of a fire, because of the belt misalignment or belt slip, such as belt tear detection and bearing temperature monitoring devices. Provide an effective communication system between the underground conveyor belt operator and the surface control room. Provide self-closing travelling way doors at all access points to the conveyor belt where applicable. 2.1.3 Explosion Prevention iit, The’ ventilation layouts or change in ventilation system can prevent the accumulation and concentration of explosive flammable gas. The reporting of flammable gas as provided for in Regulation 23.4(q) of the Mine Health and Safety Act, Act 29 of 1996 as amended. The measures to prevent contraband from being taken into confined mining ‘spaces including underground workings and monitor the effectiveness thereof are put in place. Compliance with the Chief Inspector of Mines Instruction MS-4-2018. by taking precautionary measures prior to accessing abandoned and/or old mined out area,vii | Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Prevent inadvertent access to abandoned areas by barricading (walling off) Permanently abandoned ends/areas and providing suitable bleed off pipes to monitor the presence of flammable gas at intervals not exceeding 10 days by a person appointed for that purpose by the employer. Timber for use underground must be fire retardant treated. Coal cutting sequences must compliment the flow of ventilation. 2.2 Emergency preparedness. 2. 2.4 Fire detection system Ensure that an effective and efficient integrated heat, smoke and fire early warning detection and monitoring system (able to pinpoint the source or the area for quick response) are coupled with (effective) fire response/suppression systems Installation offre detection sensors with performance verification as per SANS 80079-29-1 Annexure A and SANS 1815-3:2014 for TSO andlor T90 requirements, Installation of an interlock system which prevents the conveyor belt from being opetated ifthe fire detection system is faulty or ifthe water supply is insufficient. Enstire calibration gases are valid and meet the fire and flammable gas detector sengor range specifications. Employees must not be sent underground and likewise must be withdrawn when the fire detection system is faulty or has not been tested as prescribed in Regllation 8.9(8) of the Mine Health and Safety Act, Act 29 of 1998 as amendedDepartment of Mineral Resources and Energy 2.2.2 Fire-fighting systems i. Adequate and appropriately trained staff is employed in the surface control room with sufficient and dedicated resources as per the mine's risk assessment, ‘The underground and surface control rooms must have backup power in the form of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). Provision of an effective means of automatic fire suppression system along the full length of the conveyor belt. 2.2.3 Refuge Bays The employer must ensure that every refuge bay complies with the requirements of Regulation 16,6 of the Mine Health and Safety Act, Act 29 of 1996 as amended. Positioning of refuge bays must have due consideration of factors such as the travelling conditions from workplace e.g., height, walking surface, gradient, possible disorientation, etc. Services to the Refuge Bays should not be routed along the conveyor belt or combustible material Early warning system to inform or alert employees to evacuate must be instituted, NORTHERN GAPE REGION DATE: 4103)