ABSTRACT
Fires in metal mines may originate both from exogenous heating or from endogenous causes—resembling that of the coal mine fires; but of course with rather less frequency. Exogenous fires include electrical fires mainly, as well as open fires from other external agencies like timbers/oils, or other combustibles used in mines or, burning of inflammable gases e.g. methane. Incidences of metals fires are rather large in Pyrite mines as well as in Gold mines. Usually fires, like coal mines fires are attempted to be tackled by direct fighting with extinguishers including application of water/foam etc. As with coal, pyrite also reacts with the oxygen of air at room temperature liberating heat, which under favourable conditions of heat accumulation gives rise to spontaneous fires. Management of preventing metal fires include taking care of both endogenous heating and exogenous fires particularly the electrical fires.
