Development of a Borehole Tool for Investigating otherwise Inaccessible Areas in Underground Coal Mines - Parts 1 and 2

This is the second phase of a project that set out to develop an investigation tool for use in sealed or inaccessible areas of underground coal mines. The device would gather information, mainly gas concentration data and perhaps visual information. This would aid in the rapid identification and treatment of heatings and other incidents.

The initial phase of the project, reported in 2002 (Cliff and Lakeland, 2002), evaluated the feasibility of developing such a device. Included in this feasibility study was the clarification of the need for such a device, identification of what these needs were and enumeration of what were the practical limitations. The next phase was the construction of a prototype device to demonstrate the practicality of full system development. The prototype was to deliver a video camera, gas extraction monitor system and temperature monitoring probe to the bottom of the borehole and also evaluate mechanisms for moving the probe beyond the hole.

The development of the prototype was strongly guided by the overall view from the feasibility study that there was a need for such a device but that it needed to be kept simple, cheap and have clear goals. The focus was on a limited investigation.

The prototype was successfully trialled at Dartbrook Colliery through a 270 m borehole into a roadway. Video footage, temperature measurement and gas samples were extracted.

An e-newsletter has also been published for this project, highlighting its significance for the industry.