Ensuring production safety during the rainy and stormy season

To ensure safe production during the rainy and stormy season, coal industry units proactively implemented response plans to extreme weather conditions from the beginning of 2023. Key areas such as mine waste dumps, flood control structures at various units, pumping systems, and power stations were reinforced, strengthened, and their operating capacity increased with the highest level of proactive preparedness.

Mao Khe Coal Company - TKV is a unit that mines underground coal in a relatively complex and challenging geological area in the western coal region of Quang Ninh . Currently, the unit is implementing a project to mine coal down to a depth of -400m. To ensure the maintenance of safe production during the rainy and stormy season, Mao Khe Coal Company has established a Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue, and has also developed a plan and strategy for disaster prevention and search and rescue in 2023.

In this plan, the unit focuses on potential scenarios and develops detailed response measures. Storm and flood control structures on the surface and inside the mine have also been invested in and upgraded early on. Not only is the capacity of the embankment systems bordering residential areas ensured, but the unit is also actively carrying out dredging work inside the mine. This is a crucial step, ensuring smooth water drainage in the mine in case of heavy rain and flooding.

Currently, the unit has completed the dredging of the central pumping station and is expanding the dredging of drainage ditches, especially in the main cross-seam tunnel area. In addition, the water barrier systems, water storage tanks, and backup power systems have also been promptly reinforced to ensure they are ready for this year's rainy season.

Mao Khe Coal Company checks the operation of the pump tunnel in the mine.

According to Mr. Tran Quang Minh, Deputy Director of Mao Khe Coal Company, the plans and structures on the surface have been well reinforced, but when heavy rains and storms occur, the risk of water flooding into the mine remains very high. If the capacity of the pumping stations and power plants is not ensured, the risk of mine flooding is entirely possible. Therefore, the electromechanical aspect must always be ensured by the unit. Since the beginning of the year, the unit has conducted inspections, repairs, overhauls, and replacements of the pumping systems, valves, and accessories to ensure drainage capacity in case of heavy rain. The capacity of the main and backup pumping station systems and equipment has also been upgraded.

To enhance proactive storm and flood prevention throughout the unit, Mao Khe Coal Mine has proactively rehearsed plans and scenarios with essential hypothetical situations that may occur during the rainy season for its officers and employees.

Not only Than Mao Khe, the first priority of underground coal mining units during the rainy season is to focus on strengthening the pumping system and power stations. In case of prolonged heavy rain, the pumping stations must ensure the capacity to pump and drain water, dry the mine as quickly as possible, and protect the production area to the maximum.

As for open-pit mines, TKV and the mine operators have reviewed and inspected the areas to ensure the safety of waste dumps inside and outside the mines. Open-pit coal mining units determine suitable locations to move equipment based on weather conditions to ensure safety and prevent accidents involving personnel and machinery when the mining pit is flooded. The mines also strictly implement and adhere to hypothetical scenarios in their disaster prevention and search and rescue plans.

In this year's disaster prevention plans, Ha Tu Coal Joint Stock Company - Vinacomin pays special attention to the surface drainage plan in the mine. Accordingly, since the end of 2022, the unit has developed a plan and implemented the construction of 24 storm prevention drainage works in 2023, assigned the units to implement and completed before Coc Vu day (April 20, 2023).

For the drainage system in the Bac Bang Danh quarry - the main quarry of the mine today, Than Ha Tu built a drainage system in two main areas, including the Southeast and Northeast areas of the quarry. The drainage systems at the floors have been constructed, ensuring the task of effectively leading water to the settling pits.

In addition, the unit also actively inspected the lightning protection system, mine drainage pump and power supply; ensuring that these systems operate smoothly and stably during this year's rainy season. "The company has completed the calibration test of electrical equipment installed at the 35/6kV transformer station, 6/0.4kV power station, and 7.2kV outdoor electrical cabinets supplying electric excavators, drills, and water pumps. At the same time, the unit also completed the periodic calibration of safety equipment and grounding and lightning protection measuring instruments in 2023, to ensure that possible damage is limited during the rainy and stormy season," said Mr. Lam Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Company.

Ha Tu Coal Joint Stock Company ensures bottom drainage capacity during the 2023 storm season.

Weather experts predict that in 2023, the hot season will arrive later than usual, and precautions should be taken against strong and complex storms. In the last six months of 2023, rainfall is expected to increase nationwide, particularly in the Northern and North Central regions.

Mr. Do Thien Bang, Deputy Head of TKV Environment Department, said that heavy rains and storms tending to be stronger than last year are a real risk, which TKV and coal industry units proactively assess to take preventive measures. Ensuring storm prevention and maintaining production pace will help TKV ensure the target of exploiting 13.2 million tons of coal in the second quarter as well as completing the production and business tasks for the whole year of 2023.

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