ABSTRACT
In the early days of underground mining, such as in Egyptian gold mines, the circulation of ventilating air was very poor, mainly because of the small dimensions of the passageways. During the nineteenth century, with the increased activity in coalmining, ventilation problems became acute, especially in the deeper workings. Belgian and French engineers were the first to develop main ventilators on the European continent. The first fan was installed at the St. Louis mine in the Mons district in 1830 and was so successful that furnace ventilation was abandoned by 1850. By 1890, it was realised that methane gas was not the only cause of mine explosions. Coal dust was now recognised as another cause, either mixed with air or when mixed with methane. The introduction of methane drainage from coal seams has heralded a major advance in coal mine ventilation. Moves are afoot to arrange for the storage of excess methane in abandoned coal mines.
