The Regulator has launched an investigation after an underground coal mine reported 3 outbursts while using remote mining operations to develop an underground roadway.
The roadway was in a geologically disturbed area and insitu gas content could not be reduced to below outburst threshold levels.
In the third and largest of the outbursts, the auxiliary fan ventilator and the continuous miner tripped. Methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) real time monitors adjacent to the continuous miner both peaked at more than 5% and flat lined.
