Analysis of Underground Mining Accidents at Cherat Coalfield, Pakistan

Abstract

Coal is the most extensively used nonrenewable energy source worldwide. In Pakistan coal is mostly mined
by underground mining methods under poor and unsafe working environment. In this study, accident records of
underground coal mines of Cherat coal field were collected and analysis was carried out to understand the
consequences, time of occurrence and causes of accidents. Besides, occupation of a victim, responsible party and
effects on production were also considered in present study. The relationship between workers’ age and severity rate
was examined using regression analysis. The main causes of accidents were the fall of the roof, mine gases,
electrocution, oxygen deficiency and slip fall. At Cherat coalfield, for every two mines, there is one fatality and most of
the accidents occur due to roof fall between 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. It is due to the stress of production efficiency.
Moreover, there is a negligible impact of accidents on coal production at Cherat coalfield from 1994 to 2015.

Keywords: Accidents, injuries, coal mines, roof fall, gases.