Relationship Between Diesel Equipment Use and Ventilation Efficiency in Underground Mines

Abstract

Underground mining operations heavily rely on diesel-powered equipment for ore extraction and material transportation, which significantly impacts ventilation system requirements and efficiency. This study investigates the relationship between diesel equipment utilization and ventilation efficiency in underground mines through comprehensive literature review and data analysis. The research examined multiple underground mining facilities to establish correlations between diesel equipment characteristics including power ratings, emission profiles, and operational patterns with ventilation system performance parameters such as airflow velocity, contaminant dilution rates, and energy consumption. Results indicate that diesel equipment contributes to approximately 50-60% of total heat load and is the primary source of particulate matter and noxious gases in underground mine atmospheres. Analysis reveals that ventilation airflow requirements increase proportionally with diesel equipment power, with minimum standards ranging from 0.04 to 0.067 cubic meters per second per kilowatt across different jurisdictions. The study found significant correlations between diesel particulate matter concentrations and ventilation efficiency, with properly designed ventilation systems achieving 70-85% reduction in worker exposure levels. Statistical analysis demonstrated that increasing ventilation rates by 30% resulted in 45% reduction in diesel particulate matter concentrations in underground headings. This research provides valuable insights for mine ventilation engineers to optimize system design, improve air quality, reduce energy costs, and enhance worker safety in diesel-intensive underground mining operations.