NSWRR: Dangerous incident report

Summary: An underground coal mine operator identified indicators of spontaneous combustion in the goaf of a longwall panel. The mine has recently completed extraction in the panel and is in the process of relocating equipment to the next block. The mine has responded according to their trigger action response plan.

Recommendations to industry: Mines must consider all ventilation variables when monitoring and managing the risk of spontaneous combustion. This includes changes in longwall ventilation due to goaf falls, roadway choking and seal strata deterioration. Composition of geological structure (e.g. presence of sulphur) needs to be reviewed when assessing the spontaneous combustion risk.