Abstract
The heat load and cooling requirements in deep mines will be significantly higher than in most shallow existing mines. Mines implement ventilation and cooling systems and controls to provide a conducive working environment. In the South African mining industry, the crucial focus has often been on heat stress management because as mines progress deeper, there is an equal inevitable increase in virgin rock temperatures. Research indicates that high temperatures reduce the productivity of stope workers, as well as influence their health and safety. An ascent in the body temperature gives way to known heat illnesses such as heat stroke. Research confirms that there are multiple means to minimise the heat load and mitigate the heat being produced. Such controls include engineering and administrative controls at the source. This study aims to improve ventilation practices and procedures for the established narrow tabular deep level gold mines. This research study is based on gold mine case studies where mixed research methods were employed such as qualitative and quantitative approaches. The respondents of this study for the quantitative questionnaire were ventilation specialists...
M.Tech. (Extraction Metallurgy)