IMRB2015-"SOMA COAL BASIN AND MINING OPERATION" Presentation

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2015 International Mines Rescue Body (IMRB)

Hannover, Germany

September 6 – 10, 2015

SOMA COAL BASIN AND MINING OPERATION

 Metin AKTAN, Mining Eng. M.Sc., Tech. Consultant of General Manager of TKI, Turkish Coal Enterprises, Ankara, TURKEY 

Email: aktanm@tki.gov.tr, Tel: +905302272449, Fax: +903125401612

Dr. Nevzat KAVAKLI, Mining Eng. PhD, Deputy Secretary of the Minister, Ministry of Energy&Natural Resources, Ankara, TURKEY

Email: nkavakli@enerji.gov.tr, Tel: +903122237978, Fax: +903122237082

Mehmet UYGUN, Mining Eng. M.Sc., Head of Health and Safety Department of TKI, Turkish Coal Enterprises, Ankara, TURKEY 

Email: uygunm@tki.gov.tr, Tel: +903125401825, Fax: +903125401612

Abstract:

Turkey is a country which consumes 1% of total world energy consumption and dependent of energy in lack of petroleum and natural gas over 90%. Turkey’s export revenues are used to compensate energy imports. For that reason it is vital that using lignite in highest efficiency as a domestic resource for energy production.

One of the most important coal resource basin named as Soma Coal Basin and it is located in Manisa province. It has an important amount of Turkey's 14,5 billion tons of lignite resources and coal quality is pretty good. Beginning from the year of 2005, to contribute to the economy of the country by producing underground coal reserves mostly in Soma basin, many private companies have started coal production activities thanks to such models as public+private partnership and royalty. Before and during beginning royalty and PPP model, TKI (Turkish Coal Enterprises) has made some studies at the Soma Coal Basin by collaborating local and foreign universities and institutions to support and guide private companies to make them produce safer with a higher efficiency. Those studies were especially related to define geological structure, gas content, spontaneous combustion, gasification of coal etc. In the light of those studies, best producing method offered to be applied. In those new underground mine ventures, TKI tried to encourage fully- mechanized operations if applicable, and tried to avoid labor-intensive coal production. After privatization activities of TKI, Soma Coal Basin’s annual production and employment have increased, migration receiving of Soma County has doubled and contribution to economy had the highest records.

But the day after 13th May of 2014, everything suddenly changed. Turkey was faced with the greatest accident in which 301 miners dead and 486 miners were survived. The largest accident to occur in recent years took place in the Soma County of the Manisa Province in the Eynez Region. Even though TKI has the license of coal mine, a private company was operating the mine with a full responsibility. The coal area which the accident happened, wasn’t suitable for fully mechanized production operations. So the private company was working with a method of half classical and half mechanized.

In addition to giving known details about the accident, aim of this study is to give some technical information about Soma Coal Basin and mining operation at the area, explaining the technical and legislation works which have been made by the guidance of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR) after the accident. Keep in mind that judicial process of the accident still going on. After the accident, expert investigation technical report published. In addition to this report, a parliamentary investigation committee was established by the Turkish Parliament and a report was published by the committee after finishing the investigation.

Independently of the accident, technical and legislative works are still being continued by the guidance of MENR. TKI gives a great attention to apply those best high tech applications which is used in mining at other improved countries. Lots of technical improvements applied at coal mines and some important legislation amendment to the law changed. Of course there are some ongoing legislation works waiting to be changed. Turkey has devoted itself in serious ongoing studies not only in Soma Coal Basin but also in all of the mines to prevent accidents and to achieve the world standards of OHS towards the ISSA Mining’s philosophy of “Vision Zero” and improving the productivity by using best modern techniques.