Legislation Would Require Wireless Underground Mine Communication
Coal Operators Welcome Discussion on Topic

by Scotty Wampler
Staff Reporter
       Representatives for local mining companies say proposed legislation that would improve underground communication is a welcome topic of discussion.
        If approved, the measure would require all underground coal mines in Virginia to be equipped with wireless communication devices.
        The bill, sponsored by Delegate Bud Phillips, D-Sandy Ridge, was recently referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Chesepeake and Natural Resources for
consideration.
     While mining officials applauded the effort to improve underground communication, some expressed concern about the lack of proper technology to comply with any new regulation.
         “The jury is still out on how far along that technology is,” said Brian Sullivan, Chief Legal Counsel for United Coal Company.
         Sullivan recently returned from Richmond where he attended a briefing on the progress and details of the proposed legislation.
         It is uncertain, Sullivan said, whether true wireless devices exist that could properly function in an underground mining environment. Having a regulation imposed on Virginia’s mining industry that uses technology that’s not proven or practical is of great concern, he said.
         “We just want to make sure that, whatever the regulation is, it’s workable,” Sullivan said. 
          CONSOL spokesman Tom Hoffman expressed similar concerns.
       “We have tried to use various [wireless] communication devices at our mines,” he said, noting that “nothing is really, truly wireless.”
          Speaking of the proposed legislation, Hoffman said it would be unfair to ask mining companies to install wireless communication devices when such devices may not even exist.
         Sullivan, though, said that he believes Virginia is still in the process of fact-finding regarding the misuse.
         “I think Virginia recognizes there’s increased scrutiny [due to the recent West Virginia mine tragedy],” he said. “At minimum, the state is going to study what technology exists. I don’t think Virginia wants to get out and overreact.”
         Sullivan went on to say that he is familiar with a number of companies trying to develop technology the mining industry can properly utilize.

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  For more information on how to subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.
 

Symposium Showcases Latest Mine Safety Devices

        Imagine the ability to hear a trapped coal miner’s heartbeat as he struggles for life hundreds of feet below the surface.
         It could happen, according to one mining safety device manufacturer.
       Developers from as far as Australia descended on Abingdon Monday to show off what they hope might become industry-standard safety devices and systems.
         Representatives from mining and other related companies arrived in droves for the symposium, held in the Grand Hall of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center.
         The program, hosted by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy and the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research of Virginia Tech, aimed to showcase what wireless communication and tracking technology is available or currently in development.
        Gamma Services International Vice President of Sales, Dwayne Towery, ignited the crowd of more than 200 with his Power Point presentation, detailing the specs of the Tram Guard Miner Track system, which is still in the developmental stages.
         Towery said the device, which is fully portable, can be installed in as many parts of an underground mine as needed. In the event of a power failure, namely due to an explosion or roof collapse, Towery said the system’s battery would last for three days.
         The system’s main unit, a canister-shaped mechanism, is designed to retrieve vitals and other data from a “personal alarm device” (PAD) each miner would carry.
       Communication methods using this through-the-earth technology (TTE) include both text messaging and voice transmissions.
         To date, the system’s prototype model has penetrated to a depth of 318 feet below the surface. It is possible, Towery suggested, that the system’s range is deeper, but the company hasn’t had time to test the product beyond 318 feet.
         “We’re trying to do what’s right,” Towery said of the product. “We’re working on it.”
         “If I can just save one guy’s life and sit down and have lunch with him, it’s worth it,” said Tommy McCormick, GSI president. McCormick confirmed that the units will be equipped to monitor human vitals such as heartbeat and temperature, as well as levels of methane present in underground mines -- all remotely from the surface.

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  For more information on how to subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.
 

Grundy Flood Control Project on Track
Road Construction, Ringwall, Buildings Next

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
        Within the next three months, travelers through Grundy will see work on the Grundy Flood Control project underway in several different locations as various aspects of the project come together.
        From the razing of the old town, to the start of construction on the ringwall to protect the courthouse, to the beginning of road construction and the actual start of construction of the new town, the downtown area will be full of activity.
        Town Manager Chuck Crabtree said the timetable initially set on the project still remains with plans for a summer 2007 opening of stores and businesses on the redevelopment site -- even as road construction continues. "Since we signed the contract with Wal-Mart, nothing has changed on the project except the rumors," Crabtree said, scoffing at any number of them that have proclaimed the project dead or changed significantly. "The project is going forward and while we might be moving a line here or there, we are still looking forward to the same opening date."
       Those driving past the redevelopment site in the past month have noticed excavators and bulldozers back on the site as Crosspointe Contractors works to lay the water and sewer lines and to place storm drains necessary for the development planned there.
        A recent project partners meeting was a good one, according to Buchanan County Public Service Authority Director Darrell Cantrell, who noted the bottom line is that "everybody is willing to do whatever it takes" to see the project through to completion.
        "It was a real productive meeting and in fact, was the best meeting we’ve had since I’ve been working on the project," Cantrell said.
       Crosspointe, the contractor on site now, is under contract to the Buchanan County PSA. The company said last month it had encountered more rock than anticipated when it first began laying the lines in place for the project. Differing views were also expressed at that time as to what impact that might have on the overall project and further whether the work Crosspointe was doing would match up to the infrastructure work the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had already done or whether the corps work would have to be unearthed and altered.

For more of the story, see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at newsstands now.  For more information on how to subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123 today.