Researchers at Perm National Research Polytechnic University have devised a method to curb heat buildup inside underground mines. The approach aims to protect workers from heat stress and improve safety across mining operations, with potential applicability for projects in Canada and the United States.
The guidance sets a limit that air temperatures in working zones should stay at or below 26°C. It also highlights the importance of the miner’s body’s natural thermoregulation, the balance between heat production and loss during demanding shifts.
Heat removal effectiveness depends on ambient temperature and relative humidity. When humidity is high, evaporative cooling is reduced, raising the risk of heat strain. These findings align with input from Artem Zaitsev, professor in the Department of Mineral Deposits Development at PNIPU.
A dedicated team built a heat transfer model that accounts for thermal inertia during the start and stop of mining equipment. The model captures how equipment heating and cooling shapes the microclimate around the workface, improving predictions for variable shifts.
Simulations corroborate measurements, showing that air temperature falls gradually after equipment is turned off rather than dropping instantly. The initial heat load is high when equipment stops, then it diminishes as cooling continues over minutes and hours depending on the system.
Heat levels peak at the start of a maintenance shift and decline over time as heat sources dissipate. When equipment is reactivated after a break, temperatures rise again before settling toward a steady value. This dynamic is essential for planning cooling and ventilation in real mine settings.
The researchers say the approach can help quantify heat stress risk for workers operating on coal faces and forecast heat loads in future mining zones. By informing ventilation strategies and cooling plans, the method supports more stable microclimates within mines and related facilities, with relevance to operations in North America.