Although underground coal miners are quite susceptible to depressive symptoms due to a highly risky and stressful working environment, few studies have focused on this issue. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and to explore its associated factors in this population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a coal-mining population in northeast China...

Elemental carbon (EC) is currently used as a surrogate for diesel particulate matter (DPM) in underground mines since it can be accurately measured at low concentrations and diesels are the only source of submicrometer EC in underground mines. A disadvantage of using EC as a surrogate for DPM is that the fraction of EC in DPM is a function of various engine parameters and fuel formulations, etc...

The past few years have witnessed millions of credit/debit cards flowing through the underground economy and ultimately causing significant financial loss. Examining key underground economy sellers has both practical and academic significance for cybercrime forensics and criminology research. Drawing on social media analytics, we have developed the AZSecure text mining system for identifying an...

OBJECTIVE In this simulator-based study, we aimed to quantify performance differences between joystick steering systems using first-order and second-order control, which are used in underground coal mining shuttle cars. In addition, we conducted an exploratory analysis of how users of the more difficult, second-order system changed their behavior over time. BACKGROUND Evidence from the visuom...

Elemental carbon (EC) is currently used as a surrogate for diesel particulate matter (DPM) in underground mines since it can be accurately measured at low concentrations and diesels are the only source of submicrometer EC in underground mines. A disadvantage of using EC as a surrogate for DPM is that the fraction of EC in DPM is a function of various engine parameters and fuel formulations, etc...

This paper focuses on the issues pertaining to the introduction of mechanization in an underground narrow reef hard rock mine typified by, but not solely restricted to, platinum mining in South Africa. In the context of this paper, mechanization refers to any machine, process or activity that reduces the human effort required to break or move rock or material in a mine. The following mechanizat...

Wireless sensor networks are a network of small sensing devices which collaborate with each other to gather, process and communicate over wireless channel information about some physical phenomena. These self-organising, highly robust and energy efficient networks can be excellent sentinels for monitoring underground mining, wildlife and various physical infrastructures such as bridges, pipelin...

Underground mining under an open-pit slope results in movement and instability of rock masses. However, most mass prediction methodologies are empirical only suitable for underground mining. In this paper, a new theoretical methodology is proposed to predict the masses caused by mining, combining two influences, slopes Considering influence open pit on damage patterns, double-slip surface defle...

A priority issue within coal mines is ensuring the safety of underground personnel. It is vitally important to have upto-date information about: which districts personnel are working; if there is adequate provision of safety equipment and facilities, and whether the mine enviroment is hazardous. This paper canvasses recent developments in proximity identification and tracking techologies for mi...

Shuttle cars form a part of the standard equipment employed by the mining Industry In the transportation of coal when using the room-and-plller method for extracting coal from underground seams. These cars are subject to frequent failure, so the problem of assigning shuttle cars to sections of the mine is considered in this paper, with the objective of maximizing expected output. A particularly...