Lightning Safety at Mining Sites
Lightning is an extremely common weather phenomena and it is very unpredictably. It can even strike outside the heaviest rainfall area. As many miners can attest, thunderstorm can often strike with little or no warning, especially during the warmer months of the year. And the lightning strikes accompanying them pose a serious threat to people and safety. Other areas of vulnerability at a typical mine site includes communication and radio towers, gate entrances, conveyors and crushers, compressor and pumping stations, diesel generator stations, etc. If lightning is close by, mining operations must cease which causes a loss in production. Thus a comprehensive approach for lightning safety and protection should be site specific to attain maximum efficiency and minimize the down time of operations. A company must strike a balance between production and safety to be successful. First an early detection of areas that are at high risk of lightning is critical. Secondly, real time lightning