Open Pit mining interface doing a pit expansion while at the same time mining the original faces comes with its own challenges. On the safety front, it requires operations to be proactive starting from planning. The planned mining faces (Polygons) must be well arranged, prioritized and they must have safety precautions instructions. In this intervention the best weapon to use is COMMUNICATION. Strong and effective communication tools must be established and enforced. The Shift Bosses for both the upper benches and lower benches must have a physical meeting so that there must be firm risk assessment actions taken. The Log Book must be a supporting tool (Note legal requirements of Log Books), which is written to affirm the observations done by both Shift Bosses. In most cases operations at the bottom benches are at the receiving end and very much exposed to hazardous incidents. a simple task like site preparation at the top benches has a high likelihood of dropping boulders to the lower benches. Activities like drilling, blast holes charging and dozing are at times done close to the high wall and if communication is lacking, boulders from upper benches will land onto equipment or personnel at the lower benches. Pit interface requires properly crafted procedures in order to prevent unwanted events. Parking of equipment during blasting times sometimes puts them in harms way resulting in property damages. Blast timing must also be done such that it reduces fly-rock throw towards the bottom faces, but the material along the higher free face will roll down. The spillage from the high faces has a tendency is closing access roads. The share for today is: Avoid accidents by ensuring that all personnel have been briefed, Communication is done regularly, Observe and take corrective action, be proactive rather than reactive.
Very relevant
Good point!
Thapelo Jack
5mo
Insightful!
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5moGreat article. It highlights the importance of communication during pit operations.