Análise de redes de ventilação de minas: estudo de caso - mina Medrado-BA.

Abstract

Mine ventilation network analysis is a useful technique for solving air flow problems both in new projects and at operating mines. The present research, which encompasses mine ventilation network analysis, has been developed through a case study conducted at Medrado Mine. Medrado Mine is located in Andorinha County, Bahia State, Brazil, and is owned by Vale do Jacurici Mining Company. The study combines the use of ventilation network analysis with the use of computer programs, and validation of results by means of air flow measurements at several sectors of the mine. In a first stage, the analysis was done for a blowing ventilation system, which was adopted at Medrado Mine until March of 1998. In that stage, a computer program written in FORTRAN language was used. That program was developed by the Mines Accident Prevention Agency Association Ontario - MAPAO, Canada. Afterwards, a suction ventilation system was adopted in the mine, and the new analysis was performed using VentSim software, which has been developed in Australia. A comparison is made between both the blowing and suction ventilation systems, based on total air flow, power consumption, and air flow distribution at some critical locations of the mine.