Introduction

If you are familiar with fuels of different kinds, it can be assumed that you have heard of coal. It is one of the primary fuels that many industries are using for thousands of years. However, mining coal has some shaky history to it.

From primitive tools to remote-controlled heavy-duty machines, mining coal from underneath the ground has evolved a lot. Unlike the process of other ores, coal mining does not require much use of mining chemicals.

However, if you search for ‘chemical used in coal mining’ on google, you will probably find a list of elements mostly related to cleaning and hygiene. It is essential to have these chemicals with you while mining for coal.

Methods of Coal Mining?

Coal is mainly mined in two different methods. Surface mining and underground mining. Coal can easily be mined if the coal seams are near to the surface. Otherwise, a serious amount of digging will be required.

Surface mining is not the traditional way of mining coal, but it certainly is effective and less prone to accidents. There are several surface mining techniques as well such as strip mining, contour mining, mountaintop removal mining etc.

Underground mining has been in use from the primitive time. It is a very popular method of mining not only coal but also other precious ores, even though its history is not so pleasant. Underground mining has many techniques and those deserve an article on their own.

How Is Coal Mined In Australia?

Australia can be dubbed as the coal heaven. Coal can be found in almost every state here. In 2019-2020, Australia was the second-largest coal exporter in the world.

The primary method of coal mining in Australia is surface mining. It accounts for almost 80% of total coal production. The global rate of surface mining to acquire coal is 40%. So, you can say that Australia is the master of surface mining.

However, it does matter how and using which methods coal is being mined when it comes to cleaning and hygiene. It is mandatory to use cleaning chemicals to keep workers safe and equipment clean. 

Types of Chemicals Used In Coal Mining

Coal mines are a very tough place to work in. Workers need to work amid dust, grease, coal extracts etc. Also, the equipment used in mining coal gets dirty pretty often.

Cleaning is a no brainer in these cases. We can not stress enough how important it is to stay clean as well as keep equipment clean in mines.

Just think of how quickly infections can spread when hundreds of workers are working in the same place and operating the same equipment for months and years.

To maintain cleanliness and hygiene in coal mines, you will come across two types of cleaning agents. One for the workers and the other one for the equipment.

Hand Cleaning Agents

This is what workers use to clean the dust, grease, extracts that they encounter every day. These chemical agents can effectively clean any type of dirt but can also harm your skin if not chosen wisely.

Hand cleaning chemicals that are recommended to use in mines usually feature strong cleaning agents which can be used to wash away tough dirt and stains. These cut through oil and grease very easily.

Surface Cleaning Agents

Equipment and vehicles are vital elements of mining. As mining technology progressed over time, coal mining got more dependent on equipment rather than human efforts.

Mining equipment and vehicles need special care as those are exposed to more dust and grease than regular ones. So, special heavy-duty degreasing and cleaning chemicals are used in cleaners made keeping mining in mind.

To preserve mine carts, drills, draglines, continuous miners, haul trucks and other mining gears, use of cleaning chemicals such as heavy-duty degreasers, mag wheel cleaners, truck washes etc. should be the foremost priority.

Application And Cleaning Procedure

Mining dirt is not something you will encounter in your regular day to day life. It is tougher than normal dirt. Combining that dirt with the grease and grime that equipment and vehicles collect, it becomes a disaster to deal with.

Cleaning chemicals made for mining purposes may come real handy in those situations. However, not knowing the proper application and cleaning procedure may hinder your mining journey as well.

That is why we are trying to guide you through it. The procedure of cleaning with different cleaners differ from each other. So, we have divided it into two parts.

For Hand Cleaner

Application and cleaning procedure for hand cleaner is very simple and straightforward. It is more or less the same as a regular hand cleaner. However, it takes some extra efforts and scrubbing.

Take a generous amount of cleaning solution on the palm of your hand and rub it around like you usually do with your household hand wash. Make sure you get to every dust particle sitting on your hands. 

Instead of rubbing it all over your hands for 20-25 seconds, you take a minute or so. Then you rinse your hands with clean water. That’s it. 

For Degreaser and Vehicle Cleaner

Hand cleaner may come in soapy or liquid form. However, degreaser and vehicle wash only comes in a liquid state. Some of them need to be diluted in water, others can be used directly.

The application process of these chemicals is similar to any surface cleaner. Put it in a spray bottle. Spray all over the surface you are trying to clean. Let the solution sit there for some time.

When you see that the dirt has dissolved completely in the ceiling solution, grab a water hose. Clean the surface by pressure spraying water over it. And you are done.

Conclusion

Mining different ores require different types of chemicals. Chemicals used in coal mining are kind of the same cleaning agents that you encounter in industrial use.

However, cleanliness and hygiene in coal mining are very crucial. So, never skimp on your cleaning agents.