Research on ventilation and safety and its application at Dutch state mines

Abstract

Dutch Statemines conducted until 1965 research for underground operations in the Centraal Proefstation. The present paper sketches the image formed on the occurrence of methane in the underground works, its release during mining operations, the method of safe dilution, and the removal in high concentrations. It gives measures taken to prevent ignition possibilities and finally describes how using the results of this research the Inspectorate allowed to increase the methane percentage in the general body of the air from 1.5 to 2 %.