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With the continuous development of the mining industry and advancements in deep mining technology, mine environment optimization has become key to ensuring safety and improving the efficiency of mining. The high-temperature environment, particularly in deep mines, not only poses a serious threat to miners' health but also significantly reduces operational efficiency. These issues have been determined based on the current application status and development trends of mine cooling technology, including traditional mechanical and non-mechanical cooling technologies, as well as emerging roadway insulation materials and mine cooling clothing applications. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, the main challenges related to the use of current mine cooling technologies are pointed out, including the low energy efficiency ratio, high cost, and difficult implementation. Finally, this paper looks forward to the future development directions of mine cooling technologies, emphasizing the importance of intelligent, energy-saving, and environment-improving comprehensive system management and, in turn, promoting the progress and application of mine environment optimization technology and supporting safe and efficient deep mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) still poses health risks to miners. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) is a powerful tool for RCMD characterization because it provides particle-level data, including elemental ratios (via the EDX signals) that can enable classification by inferred mineralogy. However, if the particle loading density (PLD) is high on the analyzed substrate (filter sample), interference between neighboring particles could cause misclassification. To investigate this possibility, a two-part study was conducted. First, the effect of PLD on RCMD classification was isolated by comparing dust particles recovered from the same parent filters under both low- and high-PLD conditions, and a set of modified classification criteria were established to correct for high PLD. Second, the modified criteria were applied to RCMD particles on pairs of filters, with each pair having one filter that was analyzed directly (frequently high PLD) and another filter from which particles were recovered and redeposited prior to analysis (frequently lower PLD). It was expected that application of the modified criteria would improve the agreement between mineralogy distributions for paired filters; however, relatively little change was observed for most pairs. These results suggest that factors other than PLD, including particle agglomeration, can have a substantial effect on the particle EDX data collected during direct-on-filter analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Significant stressors which affect miners' health conditions are screened out. • Associations of stressors and subsequent health outcomes are updated by meta-analysis. • Core influencing factors and paths of miners' psychosocial stressors are identified. Introduction : The workplace's health hazard remains a significant concern to workers in the mining industry, where miners are continually exposed to various kinds of exposure sources. Method : First, the determinants of miners' health were systematically extracted from 259 publications, comprising chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial stressors, vulnerability factors, and common health outcomes. Then, 16 meta-analyses were performed to ascertain the epidemiological evidence for associations between four stressors and three health outcomes. The seven top contributing factors affecting miners' health were identified through 166 available prospective studies. Finally, based on the classic and domestic measurement scales, a cross-sectional survey of 559 Chinese miners was conducted to determine the core psychosocial predictors. In addition to the traditional mechanisms, complex interactive networks among the antecedents and consequences and the reversed effects of consequences were also obtained, where 379 strong association rules were yielded via the Apriori algorithm. Results : The results showed that occupational dust, NO 2 , heavy metals, heat, vibration, awkward posture, and job stress are significant risk factors associated with individuals' health conditions. Psychological capital, coping style, job demand, social support, organizational support, justice, and culture are core psychosocial predictors of miners. Conclusions : This study presents a case for identifying the most significant occupational risk factors related to individuals' health, which could be extended and applied to other industries, as working populations around the world are suffering from various chemical, physical, ergonomic, and psychosocial stressors. Practical Applications : Identifying the significant occupational risk factors affecting workers' health conditions is essential for comprehensive occupational health risk assessment and management. Therefore, this study could be important for health management in mines and other industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista CIENCIA UNEMI is the property of Universidad Estatal de Milagro (UNEMI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• The total of 66 articles on using Wireless Sensor Networks to enhance mine safety is evaluated. • Extracting and tabulating related publication distribution data. • Benefits and limitations of WSNs for safety and health in underground mines. • Possible future path for improvement in the application of WSNs to mining safety and health management. Introduction: The very complex and hazardous environment of underground mines may significantly contribute to occupational fatalities and injuries. Deploying wireless sensor network (WSN) technology has the potential to improve safety and health monitoring of miners and operators. However, the application of WSN in the industry is not fully understood and current research themes in this area are fragmented. Thus, there is a need for a comprehensive review that directly explores the contribution of WSNs to occupational safety and health (OSH) in underground mines. Method: This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on the existing applications of WSNs for improving OSH in the underground mining industry to pinpoint innovative research themes and their main achievements, reveal gaps and shortcomings in the literature, recommend avenues for future scholarly works, and propose potential safety interventions. The major contribution of this review is to provide researchers and practitioners with a holistic understanding of the integration of WSN applications into underground mine safety and health management. Results: The review results have been categorized and discussed under three predominant categories including location monitoring and tracking, physiological and body kinematics monitoring, and environmental monitoring. Finally, seven major directions for future research and practical interventions have been identified based on the existing research gaps including: (1) further applications of WSNs for underground mining OSH management; (2) application of WSNs from research to real-world practice; (3) big data analytics and management; (4) deploying multiple WSNs-based monitoring systems; (5) integration of WSNs with other communication systems; (6) adapting WSNs to the Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure; and (7) autonomous WSNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to continuous exposure to airborne respirable dust, miners are in danger of acquiring pneumoconiosis, a lung illness. Extra tiny particles in this sort of dust can be ingested into lung tissue which can result in pneumoconiosis creating disease conditions of disability with associated medical complications leading to premature death. This study tries to establish the current trends in pneumoconiosis research globally. A total of 950 results in the scholarly peer-reviewed publications from 2011-2020 curated from Web of Science Core Collection showed India to have contributed 20 records. This analysis also revealed that the most opted or chosen journal by the authors for the publication was the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. Apart from this, it was also seen that the scholars from Peoples R China and USA ranked highest in the list with almost half of the publications achieved alone. However, for Indian scholars to be counted among the lead global leaders, it is imperative that a more concerted effort is made in the specific area of pneumoconiosis research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal dust in the coal mining process may lead to a serious threat to the safety and health of miners. The addition of surfactants during coal seam water infusion can significantly improve the effect of dust suppression, so it is crucial to study the influence mechanism of surfactants on coal wettability. The variation of the hydration film thickness on the Tunliu coal surface at different concentrations of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) solution was investigated by atomic force microscopy. The experimental results indicate that the hydration film thickness increases initially and decreases afterward with the SDBS solution concentration increase, with a maximum value of 11.4 nm. The surface free energy (SFE) of coal molecules adsorbed with different numbers of SDBS molecules were calculated using two coal molecule cell models developed by Materials studio 8.0, and the simulation results display a good agreement with the experiments. The higher the SFE, the greater the hydration film thickness on the coal surface, and the stronger the enhancement effect of SDBS solution on the wettability of coal at the corresponding concentration. The interface formation energy (IFE) and cohesive energy density (CED) of coal molecules after adsorption of SDBS molecules were calculated separately. It was found that when three SDBS molecules were adsorbed, the absolute value of IFE and CED reached the maximum, and each SDBS molecule had the strongest average effect on coal molecules, the bond between them would be tighter. SFE simulations are helpful to optimize the selection of surfactants for practical engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental evaluation of the coalface in underground mining is of great significance to the safety of production and the health of miners. In order to achieve the objective and accurate evaluation of the operating environment of the coalface, the indexes of temperature, humidity, noise, illuminance, dust, harmful gas, and wind speed are selected to construct the environment evaluation index system, and the operating environment evaluation model of the coalface based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and matter-element theory (MET) is established. Firstly, the operation environment classification criterion is established; the environment objects, joint domain, and classical domain mater-element are built; and the correlation function is calculated. Secondly, the comprehensive correlation matrix is calculated and the environmental grade is judged. Finally, from the broad point of view, three measures are proposed to improve the operation environment of the coalface: development of the environmental evaluation index monitoring system, improvement on miners' safety awareness, and formulation of regulations and policies for coal mine operation environment. The research results can provide guidelines for miners, coal mining enterprises, and occupational environmental safety departments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the inherent time delay in dust concentration data transmission, dust reduction equipment is unable to respond according to the current moment's dust concentration. Hence, the focus of mine dust concentration detection technology extends beyond the current dust concentration to accurately predicting the next moment's dust concentration, allowing a response window for dust reduction equipment, leading to more optimal dust reduction effects. This necessitates the introduction of the Kalman filtering algorithm. Despite the traditional single Kalman filtering algorithm's ability to make certain dust concentration predictions, it is constrained by high-temperature, high-humidity underground environments and electromagnetic pulse signal interference from fan and coal mining machine operations, with an error rate reaching up to 40 %, seriously disrupting underground dust reduction equipment. However, the composite Kalman filtering algorithm incorporating the 3σ rule effectively eliminates bad values and removes instability from the underground environment and noise, rendering it applicable to most complex environments, providing accurate predicted concentrations for dust reduction equipment, and boosting overall universality. This study designed a fusion algorithm based on the Pauta criterion and Kalman filter to further optimize the dust concentration detection technology based on electrostatic induction. The sensor's model and measuring principle were first analyzed, and the initial calibration and precision testing of the sensor using the experimental system were completed. The dust concentration fluctuation characteristics were then modeled with Matlab, and the noise variance was estimated to process and filter the dust concentration data with the Pauta criterion, Kalman filter, and fusion algorithm respectively. The accuracy of the dust concentration sensor was tested again after applying the fusion algorithm, which proved to significantly enhance the stability and accuracy of the electrostatic induction-based dust concentration sensor. This study has critical implications for coal mine dust concentration monitoring and coal miner occupational health protection. • A composite algorithm combining Kalman filtering with the 3σ criterion is proposed. • The feasibility of the fusion algorithm is verified. • The measurement accuracy of the dust concentration sensor is improved. • A more accurate method for coal mine dust and environmental monitoring was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the effect of season on cognitive function and psycho-physiological responses during a 14-day swing in mine-service workers. Cognitive function, thermal sensation and comfort, rating of perceived exertion, fatigue, hydration, core temperature and heart rate were assessed throughout a shift, on three separate days over a swing. Working memory and processing efficiency did not differ between seasons (p > 0.05), however counting and recall latencies improved throughout the swing (p < 0.05). Participants reported greater fatigue post-shift compared to pre-shift (p < 0.05). Thermal sensation, thermal comfort, and hydration were significantly elevated in summer compared to winter (p < 0.05). Specifically, workers were significantly/minimally dehydrated in summer/winter (urinary specific gravity = 1.025 ± 0.007/1.018 ± 0.007). Although cognitive function and thermal strain were not impaired in summer compared to winter, it is essential to reinforce worker's knowledge regarding hydration requirements. Additional education and/or incorporating scheduled rest breaks for hydration should be considered to ensure the health and safety of mine workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal mining plays a significant role in the economy of India. The health and safety of miners working in underground mines is a serious concern. One of the risk factors is with regard to the ventilation systems. Computational fluid dynamics is one of the major tools used to study the air-flow distribution. It helps in understanding the blind galleries which may need adequate ventilation. It also helps suppress the spontaneous heating of poorly ventilated workings and in generating heat-stress plots inside the galleries to ensure the safety of mineworkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study used soils collected from a small-scale gold mine area to determine the health risks due to trace elements to the at-risk population in the study area. The work involved 74 soil samples from four sampling categories: 29 samples were from the mining pits (MD), 18 samples from the first washing area (WA), 17 samples from the second washing area (WB), and 10 samples from the control area (C). All samples were analyzed for Cr, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Zn, and Hg using the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Florescence (ED-XRF) method. Trace element levels were found to vary across the four sampling categories. The concentrations of trace elements recorded from different sampling categories varied in an increasing order of MD > WA > WB > C. Mercury was detected in the highest levels (max. 3.72 ± 0.15) at WB while it was not detected in the samples from C. Samples from MD indicated that Cu (max. 737.66 ± 1.3 mg/kg) was found in the highest levels whereas Hg (mean = 0.007 mg/kg) was the lowest. At WA, Cu (max. = 178.97 ± 2.46 mg/kg) registered the highest average concentration while Hg (mean = 0.05 mg/kg) had the lowest concentration. For WB, Cu (max. = 230.66 ± 3.99 mg/kg) was found in the highest concentration. The hazard index value for all exposure routes was found to be 1.77, making noncarcinogenic effects significant to the adult population. For children, the hazard index value was 9.11, showing a severe noncarcinogenic effect on children living in the study area. For the noncancer effects through the inhalation pathway, the risk posed by Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb was negligible for both adults and children, while Co posed the highest noncancer risk for children. Cobalt also indicated the highest noncancer risk for children through the dermal pathway, while As indicated the highest noncancer risk to children through ingestion. For the cancer risk, the adults were more at risk compared to children, except for As and Co through the dermal pathway posing the highest threat. Trace element concentrations, hazard quotient, and hazard index values indicated that the area was polluted and that noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic effects on residents and miners were significant. Therefore, there is a need to put in place mining regulations aimed at protecting the at-risk human population in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rudarsko-Geolosko-Naftni Zbornik is the property of Faculty of Mining, Geology & Petroleum Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

There is a growing concern in mining community about the contribution of nano-particulates to miner's health. Despite the health influence of respirable dusts and associated lung diseases have been recognized for decades in the mining industry, the nano-scale particulates accompanying with complicated physiochemical properties and their enormous contribution in quantity have been drawing attentions only in recent a few years because of the advancement of nano-science discipline. In this review, we examine the current regulations of dusts exposure and the dominant mass-based monitoring methods to point out the ignorance of nano-particulates in mining industry. The recognized mining-related nano-particulates sources are summarized to identify the mechanically generated finer particulates including particles and aerosols. In addition, the mechanism of adverse health impact on miner with exposure to nano-scale particulates is discussed in a detail to emphasize their substantial detriment as a potential respiratory hazard. Characterization of the complex physiochemical properties of nano-particulates are then summarized and discussed because these properties could be different from regular respirable dusts due to their dramatically increased surface area and particulate counts. The intent of this review is to demonstrate the potential of adverse health effect of nano-particulate on the mine personals throughout the mining cycle and to identify the research gaps of the mine nano-particulate characterization and quantification. We suggest that further understanding of the mining induced nano-particulate properties and their pathogenesis are critical for the future engineering control measure to mitigate the potential health threat for future miners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines health issues around human/social determinants of health within artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM). The focus is on working children and violence. Within the area of violence, the collection of health risks is broad, ranging from self‐directed impacts such as suicide or neglect, to interpersonal impacts such as child or intimate partner abuse, and to collective violence such as trafficking, fighting for resources and ultimately war. Discussions on such impacts are less about accidents and illnesses and more about psychological issues. We review studies shedding light on health implications of ASM for children at sites in Suriname and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These studies helped to dispel the perception that the long list of hazards and health risks commonly cited are present at every mining site. Although worker and community interviews provide useful information about accidents and other common ailments, they cannot replace formal medical screenings for serious health problems. There are likely health effects related to criminality and violence. Detailed interviews from Domaine Marial, DRC, with respect to violence to children and intimate women partners are sobering. Violence has also developed with takeovers by local gangs, domestic and transnational organized criminal groups, and insurgent and terrorist groups. Human health can be negatively impacted by worsened working conditions, collateral damage due to fighting among criminal groups and violence more generally, loss of employment or displacement. The negative impacts of ASM can be reduced through policy interventions based on an understanding of what is happening in various countries. Plain Language Summary: Artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) has been an ongoing enterprise for millennia. With nothing more than primitive tools, gangs of miners work easily accessible deposits of gold, precious stones, colored stones, coal, and more. Modern narratives commonly disparage the worth of ASM, an enterprise that particularly benefits the poorest people in poor countries. Discussions of health issues around children working in ASM are overgeneralized because of a dearth in actual data, and difficulties in understanding poverty issues within the scope of western sensibilities. Health wise, impacts depend on what is being mined, how it is mined and how children participate. Violence and criminality add significant health risks within ASM. Using what limited information is available, the study identifies a collection of physical and psychological risks within mining communities. Again, context is important because of the complexity associated with health determinants. The risks of chemical poisoning and social concerns around mining towns are important within ASM. Criminality and violence are not unexpected in relation to immensely valuable commodities and strategic metals, located in poor but resource rich countries. Traditional ASM is increasingly at risk for collateral health impacts, associated with displacement of indigenous people or control by hostile actors. Key Points: Artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) is a critically important enterprise with potential to alleviate poverty especially in AfricaCurrent narratives around health and ASM are based on generalized perceptions that are maintained by deficits in real medical informationViolence associated with ASM is pervasive and widespread, creating a spectrum of health impacts involving miners and their communities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the change and adaptation process of miners who became agricultural settlers on the coast of Hermosillo. All of them had been unemployed because of the closure of the copper mine in Pilares, Sonora, in 1949. The methodological perspective applied instruments of social and cultural history with concepts of memory studies. It is possible to identify a fractured identity through the broken projections for the future, forcing settlers to re-elaborate their life stories. The study involved work with orality, which resulted in some limitations that had to be solved with contrast of documentary and historiographic sources. The visibility of a community with a strong presence in the social imagination of Sonora defined the originality of the study, concluding further that there is a pilgrim cultural identity that was formed outside the mining space but with symbolic elements of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of the poorest people in the world's poorest countries eke out a living in artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM). Equipped with primitive tools like picks, shovels, buckets, and gold pans, they work mining valuable resources, like gold, diamonds, tin, lithium, rare earth elements, tantalum, and cobalt, and any other usable commodity, for example, sand, coal, or mica. The mining and refining processes are labor intensive and associated with a variety of health problems due to accidents, overheating, overexertion, dust inhalation, exposure to toxic chemicals and gases, violence, and illicit and prescription drug and alcohol addiction. Evident disadvantages with ASM are counterbalanced by the immense economic benefits. For many, the true scope and scale of ASM activities are unappreciated, along with the unknown health and societal impacts. Here, we set out to elucidate the scope of ASM beyond the recovery of familiar commodities, such as gold and diamonds. We adopt a holistic perspective toward health impacts of ASM, which includes unique occupational, environmental, and human/social drivers. A particular focus is poverty as a health risk with artisanal miners. They are commonly poverty‐stricken people in poor countries, ensnared by a variety of poverty traps, which take a toll on the health and well‐being of individuals and communities. ASM sometimes provides an opportunity to diversify income in the face of a decline in subsistence agriculture. However, ASM often trades one kind of generational poverty for another, coming along with serious health risks and turmoil associated with work in an informal "cash‐rich" business. Plain Language Summary: Many of the world's most valuable commodities, for example, gold, diamonds, and strategic metals, and less valuable resources, for example, sand, clay, and coal, are the products of artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM). The miners are commonly poor people with rudimentary tools, like shovels, buckets, and pans subsisting by working shallow ore deposits. Although an inefficient mining method, the large numbers of people can contribute substantially to a country's total production. Much of this mining occurs in distant, lawless areas like the Amazon River basin or the outback in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The work is grueling and dangerous because of violence and unregulated work sites. Miners suffer from the expected collection of occupational health risks, due to, for example, accidents, chemical exposures, dust inhalation, and lifting and lugging of heavy loads. Mining communities are at risk from incidental exposures to mercury, mosquito‐borne diseases, poor sanitation, and more. Human and social problems also impact health. Our paper emphasizes poverty as a risk factor for disease, as miners are caught in poverty traps—unable to leave. Injuries and disease often must remain untreated because of costs and absent clinics. Key Points: Artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) is primitive with health problems determined by occupational, environmental, and social settingsASM involves 80 + countries and valuable resources, like gold, diamonds, precious stones, tantalum, tin, tungsten, and commoditiesGrueling work, poverty, illegalities, and worksites located in remote and medically underserved areas contribute to poor health [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension has been declared as a global public health crisis by the World Health Organization, because of its high prevalence. It affects the health of one billion people worldwide and is directly responsible for the deaths of more than 10 million people per year. The purpose of our research was to explore the influence of occupational stress and psychological health on hypertension of miners who work in a noisy environment and provide decision reference for relevant departments to keep miners' health.Methods: A case-control study was carried out in this research. The study subjects were divided into case groups and control groups based on whether they had hypertension or not. Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire and Self-Reporting Inventory questionnaire were used to investigate the psychological health status and occupational stress of the target population. General information was balanced between case and control groups through propensity score matching method. After propensity score matching, a multifactorial analysis was used to explore the impact of occupational stress and psychological health on hypertension.Results: According to the result of the multivariate analysis, psychological health was hazard to hypertension (t = 5.080, P<0.001) and occupational stress was not a direct risk factor for hypertension (t = 1.760, P = 0.080). The model was statistically significant (χ2 = 20.4, P<0.01).Conclusions: For miners working in the noisy environment, psychological status was a direct risk factor to hypertension, while occupational stress was an indirect factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) as a source of income is rapidly gaining importance in the economically difficult times in Zimbabwe. Besides limited epidemiological data, no data about the self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of artisanal and small-scale gold miners exist. The aim of the project was to access HRQoL of ASGM workers to improve the data base and compare the data to the urban Zimbabwean population.Methods: Data from 83 artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Kadoma, Zimbabwe was analysed. The HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) accompanied by the cognition add-on questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L+C) and associated visual analogue scale (VAS). We described the EQ-5D dimensions and VAS values and computed health utility (HU) values using the Zimbabwean tariff. The proportions of miners reporting no problem in each EQ-5D dimension were compared with corresponding proportions reporting any problem (moderate or severe), and mean HU and VAS values were analysed across subgroups of the sample. To test differences between subgroups, Fisher's exact test was used and between urban and mining population, Student's t-test was used.Results: The reported health states of miners were homogenous, with a large amount (42%) reporting 'full health'. Mean (SD) VAS and HU values were 81.0 (17.5) and 0.896 (0.13), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that miners with a lower education reported significantly more problems in the dimension of daily activities and miners with mercury contact had more problems in the dimensions of pain/discomfort and cognition. Comparison between mining and urban population showed that in the oldest age group, self-rated VAS values of miners were significantly higher than of their urban counterparts.Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the HRQoL of mining and urban populations. However, the reason might be adverse health effects faced by the urban population that do not apply to rural mining areas. A higher education level of miners can improve the HRQoL, which is especially impaired by problems in the cognition dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, applications of the Arduino platform in the mining industry were reviewed. Arduino, a representative and popular open-source hardware, can acquire information from various sensors, transmit data using communication technology, and control devices through actuators. The review was conducted by classifying previous studies into three types of Arduino applications: field monitoring systems, wearable systems, and autonomous systems. With regard to field monitoring systems, most studies in mines were classified as atmospheric or geotechnical monitoring. In wearable systems, the health status of the miner was an important consideration, in addition to the environmental conditions of the mine. Arduino can be a useful tool as an initial prototype for autonomous mine systems. Arduino has advantages in that it can be combined with various electronic products and is cost-effective. Therefore, although many studies have been conducted in the laboratory (as opposed to field tests), Arduino applications can be further expanded in the mining field in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the spraying dedusting efficiency during the support movement process in a fully-mechanized mining face, this study employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for conducting a numerical simulation on the airflow-dust field and airflow-droplet field in the No.213 fully-mechanized mining face of the Qiwu Coal Mine, China. The aim of simulation was to ascertain the migration and distribution rules of dust particles and droplets under air flow. Accordingly, the dust suppression performances of unidirectional and bidirectional nozzles were compared by combining field measurement results and numerical simulation data. The results show that a uniform arrangement of three nozzles on the front canopy along the inclination direction of the mining face, and a uniform arrangement of four nozzles on the top beam along the normal direction of the coal wall for each of five hydraulic supports, can generallycover most of the dust particles that are produced during the support movement in this fully-mechanized mining face, with a dust suppression rate of up to 85.47%. Compared with the results using traditional unidirectional spraying, the dust suppression rate using the proposed combined spraying method can be enhanced by 31.65%. This improvement to the spraying technique can enhance dust prevention and control performances during support movement in a fully-mechanized mining faces, and has a major influence in ensuring the safe production in mines and the occupational health and safety of miners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contributes to a growing body of literature which explores how the Minamata Convention on Mercury is influencing the development of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) – low-tech mineral extraction and processing – in sub-Saharan Africa. Conceived to raise awareness of the environmental impact of mercury and to minimize its use in industry, the Convention focuses heavily on ASM, the largest source of anthropogenic emissions of mercury worldwide. Article 7 of the Convention requires ratifying countries with ‘more than significant quantities of ASGM [artisanal and small-scale gold mining]’ to draft comprehensive National Action Plans (NAPs) that outline training programs for the handling of mercury and strategies for reducing emissions from artisanal and small-scale gold mines. The focus here, however, is on one point in particular, the importance of which, thus far, has been largely-overlooked: the need for ratifying countries to include in their NAPs ‘Steps to facilitate the formalization or regulation of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector’. In sub-Saharan Africa, where most ASM activities are found in the informal ‘space’, this promises to be a contentious issue moving forward. The article explains why this is the case, drawing heavily on findings from research being conducted in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Mali, three of the region’s most dynamic ASM economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Workers in the mining industry in altitude are subjected to several risk factors, e.g., airborne silica and low barometric pressure. The aim of this study has been to assess the risks for this work category, evaluating single risk factors as airborne silica, altitude and work shift, and relating them with cardiovascular and ventilatory parameters.Material and Methods: Healthy miners employed in a mining company, Chile, working at varied altitudes, and subjected to unusual work shifts, were evaluated. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were investigated. Exposure to airborne silica was evaluated and compared to currently binding exposure limits.Results: At varied altitudes and work shifts, alterations emerged in haemoglobin, ventilation and respiratory parameters, related to employment duration, due to compensatory mechanisms for hypoxia. Haemoglobin increased with altitude, saturation fell down under 90% in the highest mines. The multiple linear regression analysis showed a direct relationship, in the higher mine, between years of exposure to altitude and increased forced vital capacity percent (FVC%), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). An inverse relationship emerged between forced vital capacity (FVC) and years of exposure to airborne silica. In the workplace Mina Subterrànea (MT-3600), statistically significant inverse relationship emerged between the Tiffeneau index and body weight.Conclusions: The working conditions in the mining industry in altitude appeared to be potentially pathogenic; further investigations should be realized integrating risk assessment protocols even in consideration of their undeniable unconventionality. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2):129-138. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: EPA reported that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, killing 21,100 people per year. EPA relies on the BEIR VI models, based on an evaluation of radon exposure and lung cancer risk in studies of miners. But these models did not account for co-exposure to diesel exhaust, a known human carcinogen recently classified by IARC. It is probable then that a portion of the lung cancer deaths in the miner cohorts are originally attributable to the exposure to diesel rather than radon. Objective: To re-evaluate EPA’s radon attributable lung cancer estimates accounting for diesel exposure information in the miner cohorts. Methods: We used estimates of historical diesel concentrations, combined with diesel exposure-response functions, to estimate the risks of lung cancer attributable to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) exposure in the miner studies. We re-calculated the fatal lung cancer risk attributable to radon after accounting for risk from diesel and re-estimated the number of U.S. deaths associated with radon in the U.S. using EPA’s methodology. Results: Considering the probable confounding with DEE exposure and using the same estimate of baseline mortality from 1989–91 that the EPA currently uses in their calculations, we estimate that radon-induced lung cancer deaths per year are 15,600 (95% CI: 14,300, 17,000)– 19,300 (95% CI: 18,800, 20,000) in the U.S. population, a reduction of 9%–26%. The death estimates would be 12,900–15,900 using 2014 baseline vital statistics. Conclusions: We recommend further research on re-evaluating the health effects of exposure to radon that accounts for new information on diesel exhaust carcinogenicity in BEIR VI models, up-to-date vital statistics and new epidemiological evidence from residential studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction This study aimed to design, implement and evaluate the reliability and validity of a multifactorial and multilevel health and safety climate survey (HSCS) tool with utility in the Australian mining setting. Methods An 84-item questionnaire was developed and pilot tested on a sample of 302 Australian miners across two open cut sites. Results A 67-item, 10 factor solution was obtained via exploratory factor analysis (EFA) representing prioritization and attitudes to health and safety across multiple domains and organizational levels. Each factor demonstrated a high level of internal reliability, and a series of ANOVAs determined a high level of consistency in responses across the workforce, and generally irrespective of age, experience or job category. Participants tended to hold favorable views of occupational health and safety (OH&S) climate at the management, supervisor, workgroup and individual level. Conclusion The survey tool demonstrated reliability and validity for use within an open cut Australian mining setting and supports a multilevel, industry specific approach to OH&S climate. Findings suggested a need for mining companies to maintain high OH&S standards to minimize risks to employee health and safety. Future research is required to determine the ability of this measure to predict OH&S outcomes and its utility within other mine settings. Practical applications As this tool integrates health and safety, it may have benefits for assessment, monitoring and evaluation in the industry, and improving the understanding of how health and safety climate interact at multiple levels to influence OH&S outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a potentially life-threatening form of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema that may develop in otherwise healthy individuals upon ascent to high altitude. A constitutional susceptibility has been noted in some individuals, whereas others appear not to be susceptible at all. In our report, we present a case of HAPE triggered by concurrent respiratory tract infection and strenuous exercise in a mining worker with an abnormal rise in pulmonary artery pressure in response to acute hypoxia, without a prior history of HAPE during almost a year of commuting between high altitude and lowland areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Review of African Political Economy is the property of Review of Political Economy (ROAPE) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: In present study, chronic exposure to manganese (Mn) and its effect on blood iron (Fe) indices in miners of Iran manganese mines-Qom have been investigated. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, fifty six miners and 5 control persons were studied cross sectionally. Prior to beginning of daily work, miners filed questionnaire and then their blood, urine and saliva samples were collected. Mn concentrations in samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). CBC analysis was performed by auto-analyzer system and blood Fe, transferrin (Tf), ferritin (Fr), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) were determined by respected commercial kits. Results processed by using software SPSS 16. Results: Between measured indices, only blood Mn, Fe and TIBC had significant difference in miners and controls (P < 0.05). The results showed that although Mn and Fe level increased in serum of miners but did not cause anemia. Result even the maximum manganese of blood, 1580 µg/L has not had undesired effects on miners iron homeostasis. Conclusions: Therefore Mn mining and Mn accumulation in blood did not increase the risk of impaired iron homeostasis. This may be due to co-exposure to Fe (in braunite (Mn mineral)) and/or compensatory mechanisms that don't allow to wide range changes in blood parameters. Also personal discrepancy, social status, life style and place may influence the results of present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To study the association of self-reported pain in adolescence with low back pain (LBP) in adulthood among mine workers and, also, study associations between the presence of LBP over 12-month or one-month LBP intensity during a health examination and daily ratings of LBP three and nine months later. Methods. Mixed design with data collected retrospectively, cross-sectionally, and prospectively. Data was collected using a questionnaire during a health examination and by using self-reported daily ratings of LBP three and nine months after the examination. Results. Pain prevalence during teenage years was 55% and it was 59% at age 20. Pain during teenage years had a relative risk of 1.33 (95% confidence interval 1.03–1.73) of LBP 12 months prior to the health examination, but with no associations with LBP intensity or LBP assessed by text messaging. Pain at age 20 years was not associated with any measure of LBP in adulthood. Daily ratings of LBP were associated with LBP during the health examination three and nine months earlier. Conclusions. There were no clear associations between self-reported pain in adolescence and LBP in adulthood. Self-reported daily ratings of LBP were associated with LBP from the health examination. Possible limitations for this study were the retrospective design and few participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negative consequences of shift work on workers' health and safety increasingly ignored. The major effects include health effects and effects on quantity of sleep, alertness, life satisfaction, and job performance. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between shift work and related health effects and shift work and workers' satisfaction in workers of mining industry located in south-west of Iran. All workers of the mining industry were enrolled in this cross-sectional study in 2013. Data were collected by survey of shift workers (SOS) questionnaire. Subjects were divided into case and control groups. The case group included 155 workers employed in shift work schedule and the control group included 104 workers employed in regular day shifts. SOS questionnaire includes questions about demographic features of workers, shift system, health effects of shift work, and the effect of shift work on workers' life satisfaction. Comparisons between the two groups were performed using the chi-square and t-test. The effects of shift work on sleep disorder (P=0.001), tiredness related to shift work (P=0.001), and workers' personal (P=0.003) and family (P=0.005) life satisfaction were significant. The result of chi-square test indicated that workers in the shift work system spent fewer hours with their families (P=0.05) compared with day workers. Comparisons of findings between the shift workers and day workers in study mining industry revealed that shift work is a risk factor for a number of health effects in shift workers. Workers' personal and family life satisfaction has been affected by shift work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working in hot environments is one of the common hazards in the workplaces, which can cause heat-related illnesses, affect workers' health and increase a risk of occupational injuries and accidents. The aim of this study was to assess and compare thermal comfort indices of humidex, Discomfort Index (DI), and ET with physiological responses in the open-pit mines in Tehran Province, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in summer 2016 on 175 male workers in 12 construction materials mines in Tehran Province, Iran. Environmental and physiological parameters were measured simultaneously at three periods and thermal indices were determined as well. In this study, correlation coefficients of indices at different times of day were analyzed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18 software and Pearson correlation. There was high correlation between thermal comfort indices with each other. All three indices used in this study had an appropriate relationship with core body temperature. Oral temperature had a greater correlation coefficient with thermal indices compared to the tympanic membrane temperature and skin temperature. Humidex had a high correlation coefficient with environmental parameters and physiological responses. The Humidex index is more valid than ET and DI indices. Humidex, among the studied indices, despite being simple, lack of need for sophisticated equipment to measure, low cost and easy interpretation can be used in open-pit mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) causes emphysema, airflow limitation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Slate miners are exposed to slate dust containing RCS but their COPD risk has not previously been studied. Aims To study the cumulative effect of mining on lung function and risk of COPD in a cohort of Welsh slate miners and whether these were independent of smoking and pneumoconiosis. Methods The study was based on a secondary analysis of Medical Research Council (MRC) survey data. COPD was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio <0.7. We created multivariable models to assess the association between mining and lung function after adjusting for age and smoking status. We used linear regression models for FEV1 and FVC and logistic regression for COPD. Results In the original MRC study, 1255 men participated (726 slate miners, 529 unexposed non-miners). COPD was significantly more common in miners (n = 213, 33%) than non-miners (n = 120, 26%), P < 0.05. There was no statistically significant difference in risk of COPD between miners and non-miners when analysis was limited to non-smokers or those without radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis. After adjustment for smoking, slate mining was associated with a reduction in%predicted FEV1 [β coefficient = -3.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) -6.65, -1.29] and FVC (β coefficient = -2.32, 95% CI -4.31, -0.33) and increased risk of COPD (odds ratio: 1.38, 95% CI 1.06, 1.81). Conclusions Slate mining may reduce lung function and increase the incidence of COPD independently of smoking and pneumoconiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Comparison of the prevalence of usage of tobacco products and its effect on the periodontal health parameters of the mining laborers and the general population of Udaipur city, India. Materials and methods: the cross sectional study was performed on the sample of 980 adults including 500 mining employees and 480 subjects from the general population. The presence or absence of the tobacco products usage was noted. The ADA type III examination using the community periodontal probe was done. The data obtained was subjected to chi-square and Cramer' v statistical analysis. Results: 79.40% of the mining-employees and 61.67% of the general population used different tobacco products, the difference noted was statistically significant (p=0.000). The most common periodontal condition amongst the mining employees and the general population was the presence of calculus (39% and 35.63% respectively) followed by the 4-5mm periodontal probing depth (29.20% and 26.04% respectively). The difference spotted was significant (p=0.018). There was statistically significant difference between the tobacco users and non- users for the different periodontal conditions (p=0.000). Conclusion: the tobacco product usage was high in mining employees group. There was a positive correlation between the usage of tobacco products and the periodontal health parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Industrial Relations / Relations Industrielles is the property of Universite Laval, Department of Industrial Relations and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cisitu is a small-scale gold mining village in Indonesia. Mercury (Hg) is used to extract gold from ore, heavily polluting air, soil, fish and rice paddy fields with Hg. Rice in Cisitu is burdened with mercury. The main staple food of the inhabitants of Cisitu is this polluted rice. Villagers were concerned that the severe diseases they observed in the community might be related to their mining activities, including high mercury exposure. Case report of the medical examinations and the mercury levels in urine and hair of 18 people with neurological symptoms. Typical signs and symptoms of chronic mercury intoxication were found (excessive salivation, sleep disturbances, tremor, ataxia, dysdiadochokinesia, pathological coordination tests, gray to bluish discoloration of the oral cavity and proteinuria). Mercury levels in urine were increased in eight patients (>7 µg Hg/L urine). All 18 people had increased hair levels (>1 µg Hg/g hair). 15 patients exhibited several, and sometimes numerous, symptoms in addition to having moderately to highly elevated levels of mercury in their specimens. These patients were classified as intoxicated. The situation in Cisitu is special, with rice paddy fields being irrigated with mercury-contaminated water and villagers consuming only local food, especially mercury-contaminated rice. Severe neurological symptoms and increased levels of mercury in urine and hair support are possibly caused by exposure to inorganic mercury in air, and the consumption of mercury-contaminated fish and rice. The mercury exposure needs to be reduced and treatment provided. Further research is needed to test the hypothesis that mercury-contaminated rice from small-scale gold mining areas might cause mercury intoxication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the case of the Angelópolis and Amagá miners’ union in Antioquia, Colombia. These miners’ political activities have conferred the legitimacy of the workers’ right to health. The petitions and demands in the area of health demonstrate the transition into reality of every worker’s right to be sick, to be protected and secured during illness and to have their health restored. These miners’ political actions are an example of new ways to channel the struggle for rights by means of the opportunities presented by legislation. Their actions are not isolated, rather they represent attitudes present in the labor movement across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives of these investigations completed on workplaces in the Hungarian mining industry were to characterize the physiological strain of workers by means of work pulse and to examine the effects of work-related psychological factors.Material and Methods: Continuous heart rate (HR) recording was completed on 71 miners over a total of 794 shifts between 1987 and 1992 in mining plants of the Hungarian mining industry using a 6-channel recorder - Bioport (ZAK, Germany). The work processes were simultaneously documented by video recording along with drawing up the traditional ergonomic workday schedule. All workers passed health evaluation for fitness for work. The effects of different psychological factors (simulated danger, "instrument stress," presence of managers, and effect of prior involvement in accidents as well as different mining technologies and work place illumination) on the work pulse were evaluated. The statistical analysis was completed using SPSS software (version 13.0, SPSS Inc., USA).Results: The work-related physiological strain differed between work places with different mining technologies in groups of 12-18 workers. The work pulse was lowest in bauxite mining (ΔHR = 22±8.9 bpm) and highest in drift drilling in dead rock with electric drilling machine (ΔHR = 30±6.9 bpm). During sham alarm situation the work pulse was significantly higher than during normal activities with the same physical task (ΔHR = 36.7±4.8 bpm vs. 25.8±1.6 bpm, p < 0.001). When work was performed under different psychological stress, the work pulse was consistently higher, while improving the work place illumination decreased the physiological strain appreciably (ΔHR (median, 25-75 percentiles) = 23, 20-26 bmp vs. 28, 25-31.3 bpm, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Recording the heart rate during whole-shift work along with the work conditions gives reliable results and helps isolating factors that contribute to increased strain. The results can be used to implement preventive and health promotion measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify respiratory symptoms and evaluate lung function in mine workers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study involving production sector workers of a pyrochlore mining company. The subjects completed the British Medical Research Council questionnaire, which is designed to evaluate respiratory symptoms, occupational exposure factors, and smoking status. In addition, they underwent pulmonary function tests with a portable spirometer. Results: The study involved 147 workers (all male). The mean age was 41.37 ± 8.71 years, and the mean duration of occupational exposure was 12.26 ± 7.09 years. We found that 33 (22.44%) of the workers had respiratory symptoms and that 26 (17.69%) showed abnormalities in the spirometry results. However, we found that the spirometry results did not correlate significantly with the presence of respiratory symptoms or with the duration of occupational exposure. Conclusions: The frequencies of respiratory symptoms and spirometric changes were low when compared with those reported in other studies involving occupational exposure to dust. No significant associations were observed between respiratory symptoms and spirometry results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria is endemic in French Guiana, an overseas territory of France on the Guiana Shield. Since 2005, notified malaria cases are decreasing. However, new data show that malaria affects many Brazilian gold miners working illegally in French Guiana, the majority of whom are not counted in official data. In addition, one major concern is the usual practice of improper self-treatment in this mining population, raising fear of the development of antimalarial resistance. This prospective study, conducted in 2015, aimed to estimate the prevalence of Plasmodium spp. in illegal gold miners working in French Guiana. Methods: The recruitment of gold miners was carried out in resting sites along the French Guiana-Suriname border, where they go for supplies, medical care or leisure. After recording agreement, three malaria diagnostic methods were performed: rapid diagnostic test, microscopy and PCR. Results: Among 421 persons recruited in the study, malaria prevalence, detected by nested-PCR, was 22.3 % (CI [18.3-26.3], n = 94/421) of which 84 % were asymptomatic. Conclusions: This significant malaria reservoir in a mobile and illegal population with difficult access to a health care system raises the threat of artemisinin resistance and puts the population of the Guiana Shield at risk of new transmission foci while countries of the region aim at malaria elimination. Even though French legislation may hamper dealing with this population, France must face the reality of malaria in illegal gold miners in order to meet its commitment to malaria elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article features James Carpenter of Unconventional Lapidarist and his use of sugar/heat treatment to process and enhance porous rough opal, particularly those from Andamooka, Australia.