Miners must cool throughout the year

KARVINÁ – Tropical heats trouble people on the surface, and miners in the mines also struggle with heat. Whereas for the people on the surface, it is something extraordinary, for the miners, it is just a routine task. Therefore, the natural ventilation system, as well as a well-designed air conditioning system is very important to any mine.

“Even though there is a difference in blowing air into the mine at a temperature of zero or thirty degrees Celsius, rocks continue to be the basic source of heat in the mine work areas. Their temperature rises with each meter, and at a depth of one thousand meters, it reaches 37 to 40° C. Therefore, it is necessary to cool the areas at any weather and regardless of the season of the year,” explained Roman Fierla, Air Conditioning Mechanic, ČSA Mining Plant, Karviná Mine.

At present, there is a total of 11 air coolers and 10 mobile coolers DV 150 in the Karviná Mine. However considering the mining needs, their number will increase in the months to come. There are 21 members of the Air Conditioning Team who take care of the cooling equipment maintenance and medium–sized repairs and air conditioning pipe laying and removal in the Karviná Mine. Even though their work is necessary throughout the year, they have also taken so-called summer measures with a view to provide best possible working conditions for the miners in tropical days.

(Bohuslav Krzyžanek)