Geosteering Proximity Protection Project

TramGuard^TM is a proximity-based system that will achieve the MSHA goal, by establishing a Magnetic Marker Field around continuous mining machine, which will be detected by Personal Alarm Devices worn by mining personnel. The Personal Alarm Devices will warn the operator or other miners with an audible sound and a display mounted on the continuous mining machine will visually warn the miners, to help keep them outside the turning radius of the continuous mining machine. One goal of the system is to help train operators and other miners to stay clear of the hazards around the continuous mining machine. If the continuous mining machine is closer to a miner than a specified distance, the TramGuard^TM system will stop the continuous mining machine tram motors and the hydraulic booms.

Current Project Status
   Updated 02/07/2006

The system recently completed a successful field trial at Consol of Kentucky Inc.’s Jones Fork E-3 Mine. During this field test, the system provided consistent warning and shutdown commands and effectively prevented an operator wearing a personal alarm device from entering the [hazardous area] around the machine. The system components have been approved by MSHA as complying with the applicable provisions of Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR) Part 18.

A Program Informational Bulletin P06-03 was issued on issued on February 2, 2006 informing the mining industry of the development and availability of this proximity protection system that can be installed on remote control continuous mining machines.