First Mexican coal mine recovery after a mine fire, Esmeralda Mine

摘要

On May 8, 1998, a fire started in the development section of the Esmeralda Mine from methane released into the mine through a roof-bolt hole. The flames spread quickly as the coal was ignited. After eight hours, the Safety Department decided to seal the vertical ventilation shafts and the slopes. The quality of coal in the Esmeralda mine is very high quality, and MIMOSA decided to recover the facilities. However, the Esmeralda mine coals have a very high gas content of 12 m~3/ton. Immediately after the mine was sealed, MIMOSA staff implemented a plan to monitor the gas levels underground and contacted specialists for assistance in bringing the mine back on line. The entire recovery operation required seven months before the Esmeralda mine was back in operation in December 1998. Although bringing the mine back into operation was important for MIMOSA from a business standpoint, the most important thing was the recovery of the mine without any injuries to the personnel who were involved in the recovery.