Hey,

I plan on exploring an old (late 1800s) coal mine. I have heard there can be poisonous gasses which can kill you. Someone recommended I take a portable gas detector which are normally used for detecting gas leaks in caravans. One gas detector has the following specs:

Detectable Gases: LNG, LPG.
Sensitivity: Propane 500ppm to 6500ppm
Natural Gas 1000ppm to 6500ppm
Detects Static Electricity.

Natural gas is mathane, right? So that should detect the methane if there is any present? We though we would use a lighter underground to check for airflow through the mine tunnels but obviously can't do that if there is explosive gasses.

there's plenty more than methane to worry about. the biggest thing is black damp, which that thing WON'T detect. some of the other cats on here can give you a better explanation than i can, though.

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creeps of the world..........unite!!!!!!

heres all the info you need about old mines...........

http://www.msha.gov/sosa/SOSAhome.asp

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Is it a hard rock coal mine or bituminous? Totally two different animals on top of the black damp situation.

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Pioneering the next INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (Preservation ! ). . . Saving equipment (1) mine site at a time.

Thermo,

Welcome to the discussion board. We're not mean here, in fact we're really quite friendly, but you ask the worst possible question.


Your question is like asking, I found old box of dynamite--- How do I blow myself up? Or can I jump off a bridge with an old parachute I found?

NO one here is going to help you kill yourself.

Several of the posters here are Coal Miners. A few others have Coal Miner Training. A few have had close calls in mines.

We not trying to be difficult, it takes major effort to impossible for a non-miner, non-employee to even get a tour of a working mine.

Old mine are significantly worse. There are tons of legal issues, more geological issues, and even more safety issues. Hence the answer to Stay Out, Stay Alive


Obviously you have an interest in Mining enjoy the discussions, listen and learn. If you make it to the Northeast, there are several tours the group will recommend.

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Suggested first Post:

Where are you from? Obviously one of the coal regions.

What is your interest in Mining?

Any Miners in you family or history?

What is your education?

Other Interest? There are several on board that have an interest in trains.

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I don't have all the answers.
I don't even know all the questions!

thank you doug, nicely done.

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Yeah the lighter deal is a bad idea, on that note I have seen people in the Underwood mine carrying Coleman lanterns, which is just as bad of an idea. But i am pretty sure methane is not very common to come across in a long abandoned mine if i am correct. Chris have you guys ever come across dangerous levels of methane in your exploration. I may have encounterd black damp but am not too sure, the safety lamp flame went out so we left immediately, could have just bumped it out those lamps can go out if u wack them off something.

I think methane liberation would be much less in an inactive mine. But, I don't think you can rule it out completely. It is going to vary from mine to mine and vein to vein.

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I don't have all the answers.
I don't even know all the questions!

we have never hit it in the active mine actually. never saw it in an abandoned mine as well but...... dont get complacent and think youll never hit it. its far more prone to exist in flat seams..... ie, northern field than pitching seams cause it will rise up the pitch and most old pitching seams were worked to the outcrop so they vent but thats still not saying you will never see it. just that we havent..... yet. however, tony (miner490) has a good story about methane in abandoned mines and ill let him share that one............

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my uncle recently gave me an old koehler safety lamp, i havent got it working yet but will soon. could someone explain how to use it ?

yep, pretty easy, fill it, light it, check for gas.

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Good point about the pitch. That had not occured to me. And i was thinking about methane being lighter and Black Damp being heavier. Just didn't take to conclusion.

I think there is also a point about Anthracite being more developed than Bitty. So, Overall less gassy.

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I don't have all the answers.
I don't even know all the questions!

how do i check for gas with it?

This might help
http://www.ironminers.com/mineforum/vie ... hp?t=20719

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Scott K
"Watch Your Top"