File:Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite and bituminous coal regions of Pennsylvania, for the year (1889) (14802981143).jpg

Identifier: reportsofinspect1889penn (find matches)
Title: Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite and bituminous coal regions of Pennsylvania, for the year ..
Year: 1889 (1880s)
Authors: Pennsylvania. Inspectors of Mines
Subjects: Coal mines and mining
Publisher: Harrisburg : Edwin K. Meyers, state printer
Contributing Library: The University of Scranton Weinberg Memorial Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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rt of mining. As a mine properlylocated and opened is one-half the problem solved for a paying mine.The trouble now is mostly found in the old mines, and is caused bysmall and contracted air-ways and headings, as no preparations weremade in such mines for extensive workings, and the result is, in a greatmany of those mines, that it is almost impossible to force air to theface of the workings in sufficient quantities to keep the mines in a goodhealthy condition. Another trouble we find is the adoption of systemsof ventilation, where too many doors are in use. in conducting the air todifferent portions of the mines, so that in consequence the leakage ofthe doors and the neglect of keeping them closed, we find some partsof the mine not getting their shai e of air, the result is, that menemployed in those parts of the mine, will have to suffer more or lessfor want of pure air. What we need to prevent such occurrences is asystem of ventilation where doors are dispensed with (except in rare
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Off. Doc) Sixth Bituminous District. 391 cases) by the use of air crossing, and the ventilation of each section ofthe mine separately. Such a system is not only a benefit in improvingthe ventilation of the mine, but is more economical in the end than theold door system, and is a thoroughly practical one. To farther improvethe ventilation of mines, we want to see the furnaces all replaced byfans. A great surprise to me, is to see the way that some of our mineoperators will cling to the old furnace, in our shallow bituminous mines,and in many cases where steam is being used already. In such cases,the expense in a reasonably large mine is sufficient in one year to payfor a fan large enough to do the work. We are glad to state that ourmining men are beginning to look into this matter more closely, andthe result is that in this district there have been several fans put in toreplace furnaces during the past year, and we hope that it is only amatter of a few years until the furnace will be a

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