Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

1998

Publication Details

This conference paper was originally published as Harvey, CR and Singh, RN, A review of fatal outburst incidents in the Bulli Seam, in Aziz, N (ed), Coal 1998: Coal Operators' Conference, University of Wollongong & the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 1998, -.

Abstract

The Bulli Coal Seam, located in the Illawarra Coalfield of New South Wales, has a long and varied history of sudden outbursts. From available information this problem has resulted in twelve fatalities over the last one hundred and one years, with over five hundred separate outburst incidents being identified. These incidents have varied in severity and intensity from the discharge of 1 to 2 tonne of coal, with a slight increase in gas emission, to the discharge of 200 to 400 tonne of coal with some 6,000 m3 of gas being liberated and large items of mining equipment being pushed 1 to 2 metres down the roadway. Geological features associated with these outbursts can be mapped on a regional and mine by mine basis, to provide some indication or warning. Similarly changes in gas content and gas composition can also be determined on a regional and mine by mine basis. However sudden geological changes (such as a 6.5 metre seam displacement within 15 metres) variations in gas content (such as 6 m3/tonne to 15 m3/tonne) and changes in gas composition (from 95% CH4 to 90% CO2) all within one mine does make the prediction or forecasting of outburst incidents exceedingly difficult. A review of the fatal outburst incidents in the Bulli seam can give valuable insight into how efficient coal mining, within the Bulli coal seam is now linked with the effective use of gas drainage techniques and the management of the outburst risk. The number of variables and "unknowns" associated with outbursts have required the development of fully documented procedures and systems, so that at all stages during the mining operation the risk of injury to mine workers is minimised. The main emphasis for these management systems is the prevention of outbursts by relieving gas pressures using drainage techniques to achieve specified threshold gas level to permit safe mining conditions.

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