Training underground coal mining

Approximately 4000 miles (6400 km) of railroad are in use in North American underground coal mines in the second half of the twentieth century, with track equal in qnality to that of many surface railroads. Trains carrying np to 26 tons (26 x 10 kg) of coal in each car were hanled by 35-50 tons (35-50 x 10 kg) locomotives, either completely out of the mine or as far as the shaft or slope foot where the coal was transferred to the shaft hoist or slope conveyor. 

The coal log pipeline is another technology for transporting coal in which coal at the mine site is treated and compacted into cylindrical shapes (coal logs) (Liu et al., 1993). Then the coal logs are injected into an underground pipeline filled with water for transportation to destination which may be one or more than one power plants, or to a train station, a barge terminal, or a seaport, for intermodal transportation. 

As part of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) project, AIMS is investigating the use of VR to simulate the hazardous environments that result from underground fires and explosions. It has been reported that 85% of fires are detected by mine personnel (Pomroy and Carigiet 1995), so the need for concise, relevant training in the detection of mine fires seems to be of paramount importance. 

Mine Electricity—Coal Surface and Underground Entry Level Training. Publication Cl 7. 

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