Vale Canada Limited
BESTECH designed a new impact stench system for Vale’s Coleman Mine and Glencore Fraser Mine, essential for alerting underground workers of fires at one site without disrupting the other.
The fresh air ventilation system is shared between the two mines, necessitating a solution to deliver stench gas only to the affected site.
SCOPE
The project involved a stench gas injection system that could be controlled to prevent cross-contamination. The system activates only at the site of a fire, preserving normal operations at the adjacent mine. A network of 1,500 feet of piping was installed to deliver stench gas to the Fraser Morgan and Fraser Nickel ore bodies without affecting Coleman Mine. The system uses compressed air from an air receiver, supplied by both an air compressor and the existing compressed air source, to propel the stench gas effectively.
OUTCOME
This dedicated stench system improved safety by providing a precise alert mechanism for fires, limited to the incident site. A release at Fraser Mine would not disrupt Coleman Mine operations, and vice versa. The integration of air receivers, compressors, and piping ensured effective and rapid stench gas delivery, reducing risks to underground workers and allowing uninterrupted operations. This project not only enhanced safety protocols but also showcased BESTECH’s expertise in complex, multi-disciplinary engineering solutions tailored to mining needs.