Design and simulation of a ventilation system for Tibet Hima mines.

Abstract

The atmosphere underground is limited and confined, and is thus readily reduced to a substandard or even dangerous condition if contaminants produced in the course of operations like drilling, blasting, welding and hauling using diesel locomotives arc not controlled, or diluted to harmless levels. Hence proper design of a ventilation system is very important for any mine. Tibet Hima owns a copper mine at the foot hills of mount Rwenzori in Kasese district and the major activities that take place include; drilling, blasting and ore transportation all of which emit dust and gases that reduce the quality of underground air leading to health. problems and production delays. This study focusses on the design of a ventilation system for Tibet Hima mines to improve the air quality and reduce the time needed to clear the blasting contaminants from the mine air. This involves carrying out ventilation surveys in the mines, studying and analyzing the data obtained from these field surveys. From the analyzed obtaining suitable fans and ducting to use for building a ventilation model in a ventilation software called Ventism, running the various simulations, then obtaining results of the proper ventilation system.