Page 22 - Insurance Times September 2021

are very different from the methods deployed on the
land. Minerals are scooped off the sea floor and then
transported through pipes to the vessel.

The choice of the mining method is purely dependent on the
geology, topography, relief, the mineral deposit, cost of the
equipment and the demand. Moreover, the method used
should guarantee mass production.

Risks and Hazards Associated with
Mining:
Mining industry can present much more dangerous hazards
and risks than our regular industrial facility. Mining has been
done since ancient times and is always recognized as being
arduous and liable to injury and diseases. Mining is usually a
long process, hence the exposure to these hazards are also
for long duration. Miners' exposure varies with the job,
proximity to the source and the preventive methods used.
Figure 4 - Source: large.Stanford.edu If these hazards are not properly managed, they can result
into serious traumatic injuries, occupational illness and even
Y Open Cut Mining: This method is used when mineral is death.
found over large area and close to the surface. A pit is
dug progressively as per the ore, technical and Few of the risks and hazards are described below:
economic conditions in a step or benches form. Mining Y Explosions: The risk of explosion is usually associated
continues until the mine becomes too deep, or too with the underground mining and it is a serious threat
expensive or too difficult to manage the method. It to the miners. Chemicals and gases that continually run
sometimes use explosives to break the ores. through the pipes possess a serious issue of ventilation
When complete, the pit is left for the locals to use it as deep inside the surface of the earth.
a lake or modified conditions on the consent of the Y Fires: There are number of materials used in the mining
community. that can easily cause a fire and traditional fire
Y Sea Bed Mining: It involves mining of the submerged management systems may not always work in this
minerals and deposits from the sea floor. It can be done environment. This might affect the whole procedure
in the shallow waters or the deep sea. The which might lead to loss of life and economical loss to
environmental impacts are yet to be fully proven. They the contractor.
Y Dust: Dust inhalation or
coal dust is the most
common threat to the
miners. Coal dust can cause
a disease that is commonly
known as "Miner's Lung" or
black lung which can lead to
scarring of lungs tissue,
shortness of breath or even
respiratory diseases. Even
though there are safety
measures in place, we still
come across cases relating
to coal dust.

Y Cave-Ins, Collapses:
22 The Insurance Times, September 2021