SAFETY ANALYSIS IN SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND MINING
Keywords:
mining safety, surface mining, underground mining, risk assessment, safety management systems, occupational health, hazard mitigationAbstract
Background: Mining operations present distinct safety challenges in surface and underground environments, with accidents causing fatalities, injuries, and economic losses despite regulatory improvements.
Objective: This study compares safety practices in surface and underground mining, identifies unique hazard profiles, and proposes evidence-based preventive strategies.
Methods: A systematic qualitative approach included literature review (2007-2024) and analysis of 156 accident case studies (surface = 89, underground = 67) from MSHA reports.
Results: Surface mining showed higher equipment-related accidents (35%) and dust exposure, while underground mining had elevated cave-in risks (28%) and gas exposure (18%). Surface mining recorded 2.3 incidents per 200,000 work hours versus 3.7 in underground operations. Contributing factors included inadequate training (42%), equipment failure (28%), human error (18%), and environmental conditions (12%).
Conclusion: Both mining types require tailored safety protocols. Comprehensive safety management systems integrating training, technology, and safety culture can reduce accident rates by 25-50%.
