In a bid to boost output and reduce the frequency of accidents and collapses, China is leveraging "smart" technology to improve safety in its coal mines, according to a report by AP.
The National Energy Administration's drive entails raising coal production while simultaneously improving safety standards. The installation of smart-mine sensors, which monitor crucial parameters like gas buildup, flooding, and ventilation levels, is one such measure.
These sensors are located in the mine as well as on carts and tools and use 5G to transfer data, facilitating real-time monitoring by a central command.
Shanxi Collaborates with Huawei
Shaanxi Coal Industry Co, a state-owned enterprise, collaborated with Huawei Technologies Ltd. to launch intelligent coal mine technology in two locations, Hongliulin and Xiaobaodang.
Due to the impact of US sanctions, Huawei, which is well-known for its telecommunications equipment, had to explore other industries, such as self-driving cars, factories, and mines, as per AP.
Despite the company's profits falling by 70% last year, the shift in focus has allowed it to develop technology that could transform the coal mining industry, making it safer and more efficient.
Shaanxi's Xiaobaodang mine has implemented the new technology and has decreased the number of workers who descend underground by 42%, leading to an increase in productivity.
Robots are also deployed to monitor machinery, while centralized shearers are employed to extract coal. The sensors used in the mine and the carts and tools are smart, which means that they can monitor various metrics, such as gas buildup, ventilation levels, and flooding.
The sensors send real-time data via 5G, which is then transmitted to a central command, allowing for continuous monitoring.
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Coal Mine Accidents
China has had a long and troubling history of coal mine accidents, including one in Inner Mongolia in February, which claimed the lives of 53 miners. China has taken safety measures and has shut down smaller mines that do not have the necessary equipment.
Coal mines are attractive in China because the country relies heavily on coal for power generation, making it an important component of its energy mix. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal, accounting for about half of the world's coal consumption.
However, coal mining is inherently dangerous due to the risks of explosions, cave-ins, flooding, and other hazards. In recent years, China has been plagued by deadly accidents and collapses in its coal mines, resulting in the loss of many lives and significant economic losses.
These accidents have led to increased public pressure on the government to improve safety standards in the industry.
The country aims to prioritize safety while also increasing coal production. By using smart technology in mines, China hopes to reduce the number of accidents and collapses, improve safety standards, and increase production efficiency.
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