ABSTRACT
Coal mines with a low average gas content do not require the usual expensive and timely operation of gas drainage. Areas of high gas content are still encountered at such collieries with no means of artificial drainage in advance of the workings to reduce this to safe and acceptable limits. Identification of such potentially dangerous areas is imperative and necessary in assessing the risk and implementing precautionary measures. This paper provides information to assist in the planning of advance development roadway operations which highlights the potential safety risk to personnel in unmined areas and the subsequent noncompliance of coal methane gas content levels.
