This paper discusses current auxiliary ventilation practices at Barrick Underground Division in Nevada mine. Strategies being adopted in order to improve ventilation in multiple development headings in a cost effective manner using large axial flow fans is discussed. Ventilation in dieselised mines is increasingly becoming a challenge in terms of providing adequate airflow to remove contaminants and heat Furthermore there is now legislation that mining companies are faced with that requires diesel paniculate matter not to exceed 400 μg/m~3 at the present time in the USA. The old USBM guideline was to provide 125 cfm per brake horsepower for the first diesel engine in a heading and in most cases worked very well. Mechanized mining employing diesel equipment is very efficient and is not likely to be replaced in the foreseeable future. Current technologies that can replace the diesel engine including fuel cells are yet to be proven in an underground mine and are still in their infancy. It is now essential to take a hard look at auxiliary ventilation in metal mines where diesel equipment is used. Moreover at the Meikle underground complex the amount airflow required per active heading is large and is not only driven by diesel equipment but also by geothermal activity of the rock. The rock generates hot water vapors, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Cooling these headings and diluting toxic gases require a careful selection of the ventilating fan that also serve two to three headings in the same area.
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