ADDRESSING THE RISKS OF TOXIC GAS ACCUMULATION IN UNDERGROUND MINES: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO VENTILATION, DETECTION, AND WORKER SAFETY

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the risks associated with the inadequate ventilation of toxic gases in underground mining environments by utilizing a simulation-driven assessment of a real-world, undisclosed room-and-pillar mine layout. The study focuses on four critical airborne contaminants—methane (〖CH〗_4), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (〖NO〗_2), and diesel particulate matter (DPM)—which are routinely generated through geological emissions, methane exposure operations, and diesel equipment activity. These pollutants pose both acute and chronic health hazards, especially when allowed to accumulate in confined mine workings without sufficient dispersion or real-time monitoring. Traditional gas hazard management strategies, relying on static ventilation designs and threshold-triggered alarm systems, have shown limited adaptability in accounting for dynamic spatial and temporal fluctuations in gas concentrations. To address these limitations, this research adopts a scenario-based simulation approach using Ventsim™ Visual software to model airflow and contaminant behavior under realistic operational conditions. The simulations are conducted within the geometric and infrastructural constraints of a confidential production section from an active room-and-pillar mine, allowing for more accurate representation of field ventilation challenges. The analysis incorporates secondary data from peer-reviewed studies, regulatory exposure limits, and empirical emission benchmarks to evaluate system performance under three core scenarios: baseline ventilation, post-exposure contaminant release, and localized diesel equipment operation. Results highlight critical ventilation inefficiencies, including persistent stagnation zones and delayed gas clearance times, particularly in regions distal from intake airways. These findings validate the hypothesis that conventional ventilation systems may fall short of regulatory compliance during transient or sustained emission events. By identifying specific airflow vulnerabilities and pollutant accumulation patterns, the study demonstrates the value of predictive simulation in informing adaptive ventilation strategies. This research contributes to the advancement of intelligent mine safety systems, offering data-informed guidance for improving ventilation efficiency and occupational health protection in underground mining contexts.