Financial Risk Analysis of Optimized Ventilation System in the Gold Mine

摘要

Costs for mine ventilation are typically increasing when mines expand to deep levels. Some underground mines in Kazakhstan still use continuously operating fans at its maximum capacity. This is not helping to save energy and costs that are in many cases very significant. However, mine safety is related to risks associated with a deficit of fresh air for mine gases dilution and their removal from the mine workings. The ventilation system in Kazakhstan's gold mine was in need of improvement for the reason of increased production from deep horizons. The main aim of this study was to analyze the financial risks associated with high-cost airflows in deep horizons of the gold mine.The investigated mine uses sublevel caving method that produces ore utilizing conventional drill and blast method. The mine is serviced by one vertical Shaft#l utilized as an intake airway and a ramp connected to an incline used as an exhaust. The mine uses blowing ventilation system with the fan 'VO-24K' arranged on the surface in Shaft#l. Auxiliary ventilation required to force air into blind headings use axial flow fans and flexible ventilation ducting. Fans located in the main access deliver air from the fresh side of the primary ventilation circuit without recirculating the blast fumes. The existing underground developments enable exhaust air to exit the mine through the ramp and further thought the incline. Shaft#l is used for personnel transport. The incline commencing at the surface extends down to the ramp and joins major levels and generally services mining operations.