TECHNICAL PAPER NLSI 06-14/MINING

LIGHTNING SAFETY
IN THE
MINING INDUSTRY

The  Unexpected  Arrival  of  an  Unwelcome  Visitor.

© NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY INSTITUTE (NLSI)

www.lightningsafety.com
June 2014
 Table of Contents

1. Abstract

2. Lightning Behavior & Characteristics

3. Lightning Protection Designs & Defenses

4. Personnel Safety Issues

5. Codes & Standards

6. Conclusion

7. References & Resources

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No  operator  injury  when  this     !
D-­‐9  Cat  took  a  direct  lightning     !
strike.  Peru. !
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1. ABSTRACT.

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Investigations at various mine locations worldwide disclose many
power quality and safety issues traceable to ignoring lightning
safety. Some examples are:

1. Mine-wide mobile radio communications fail following a
lightning strike to a central radio tower. Surge protection was
not adequate. (Canada)

1.1 Five maintenance workers are injured when lightning
strikes a stationary vehicle. The lightning early warning system
is low cost and old technology. (Peru)

1.2 A central computer system is damaged by a lightning strike.
Important geological data is lost. Grounding methods are in
violation of codes and standards. (USA)

1.3 More than $US one million is spent on some 350
unconventional-design lightning rods. The product is not
approved by USA or international lightning protection codes
and standards. Safety to all buildings is compromised. (Peru)

1.4 Miners are killed when lightning explodes methane gas
inside a subsurface mine. A comprehensive approach to
lightning safety is absent. (hundreds of deaths in mines in
USA, Russia, & China.)

1.5 Four of eight gas turbine generators suffer lightning-
induced failures. Production losses at the mine are $700,000/
day. The power shortage lasts three months. (Papua New
Guinea)

1.6 Lightning causes failure of a primary water pumping
system. Underground flooding closes the mine for 45 days.
(South Africa)

1.7 Smelter potline is “frozen” after lightning hits a substation.
164 pots have to be dug out by hand. Production is shut down
for seven weeks. (USA)

1.8 Haul truck is struck by lightning with consequential tire
explosion. Grenade-like fragments kill two workers. (Mexico)

1.9 Mine superintendent standing outside during a
thunderstorm is killed by lightning. (Australia)

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 1.10 Radio operator inside a building is killed by lightning.
Grounding is poor. (Indonesia)

1.11 Mine worker next to a tree is killed, one injured.
(Dominican Republic)

1.12Two workers killed, seven injured in two separate
incidents in gold & copper mines. (Laos)

1.13 Lightning disables two substations near an underground
mine. 275 workers are trapped 2 km below the surface.
Production is suspended. (So. Africa)

1.14 Two exploration crew members struck by lightning are
airlifted to hospital. Handheld detector fails to warn of threat in
time for evasive action. (Peru)

1.15 Lightning is responsible for primary mill breakdown.
(Norway)

1.16 Main freeze plant power transformer power supply is
destroyed by lightning. 30 ft. thick ice wall shaft melts forcing
mine closure. (Canada)

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With such known cases it is difficult to support a position that
lightning incidents are rare. This Paper suggests that lightning is
responsible for significant economic and personal costs in the
industry. How to defend against the lightning hazard at mining
operations? We recommend adoption of a lightning hazard
mitigation and safety planning process. This must be endorsed by
senior mine management and Corporate-level engineering and
safety management.

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There  are  288  

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Mines  in  South  
America  (2010)

! There  are  288  

Mines  in  South  
America  (2010)
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2. LIGHTNING BEHAVIOR & CHARACTERISTICS.

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2.1. Physics of Lightning. Lightning’s characteristics include
current levels up to 400 kA with the 50% average being about
25kA, temperatures to 15,000 C, and voltages in the hundreds
of millions. There are some ten cloud-to-cloud lightnings for
each cloud-to-ground lightning flash. Globally, some 2000 on-
going thunderstorms generate about 50-100 lightning strikes to
earth per second worldwide. Lightning is the agency which
maintains the earth’s electrical balance. The phenomenology of
lightning flashes to earth, as presently understood, follows an
approximate behavior: the downward Leader (gas plasma
channel) from a thundercloud pulses toward earth. Ground-
based air terminators such as fences, trees, blades of grass,
corners of buildings, people, lightning rods, power poles etc.,
etc. emit varying degrees of induced electric activity. They may
respond at breakdown voltage by forming upward Streamers.
In this intensified local field some Leader(s) likely will connect
with some Streamer(s). Then, the "switch" is closed and the
current flows. Lightning flashes to ground are the result. A
series of return strokes follow.

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How  lightning  protection    began…

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protecting  farmers  

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barns  from  fires  in  18th-­‐19th    
Century  rural  USA.    Sometimes    

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the  rods  worked.  Sometimes  not…

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2.2 Lightning Effects. Thermal stress of materials around the
attachment point is determined by: a) heat conduction from arc
root; b) heat radiation from arc channel; and, c) Joule heating.
The radial acoustic shock wave (thunder) can cause mechanical
damage. Magnetic pressures – up to 6000 atmospheres for a
200 kA flash - are proportional to the square of the current and
inversely proportional to the square of the diameter of struck
objects. Voltage sparking is a result of dielectric breakdown.
Thermal sparking is caused is caused when melted materials
are thrown out from hot spots. Exploding high current arcs, due
to the rapid heating of air in enclosed spaces, have been
observed to fracture massive objects (i.e. concrete and rocks).
Voltage transfers from an intended lightning conductor into
electrical circuits can occur due to capacitive coupling,
inductive coupling, and/or resistance (i.e. insulation
breakdown) coupling. Transfer impedance, due to loss of skin
effect attenuation or shielding, can radiate interference and
noise into power and signal lines. Transfer inductance (mutual
coupling) can induce voltages into a loop which can cause
current flows in other coupled circuits.

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2.3 Stochastic Nature of Lightning. Absolute protection from
lightning may exist in a thick-walled and fully enclosed
Faraday Cage, however this is impractical in most cases.
Lightning “prevention” exists only as a vendor-inspired
marketing tool. Important new information about lightning may
affect sensitive facilities. First, the average distance between
successive cloud-to-ground flashes is greater than previously
thought. The old recommended safe distance from the previous
flash was 1-3 miles. New information suggests that a safe
distance should be 6-8 miles (Lopez & Holle, National Severe
Storm Center, 1998). Second, some 40% of cloud-to-ground
lightnings are forked, with two or more attachment points to
the earth. This means there is more lightning to earth than
previously measured (Krider, Intl. Conf. Atmospheric
Electricity, 1998). Third, radial horizontal arcing in excess of
20 m from the base of the lightning flash extends the hazardous
environment (Sandia Labs, 1997). Lightning is a capricious,
random, irregular and unpredictable event. At the macro-level,
much about lightning is understood. At the micro-level, much
has yet to be learned. Scientists have forecast a significant
increase in lightning in future years due to climate change/
global warming (Uman, 1991).

When lightning strikes an asset, facility or structure (AFS)
return-stroke current will divide up among all parallel
conductive paths between attachment point and earth. Division
of current will be inversely proportional to the AFS path
impedance, Z (Z = R + XL, resistance plus inductive
reactance). The resistance term will be low assuming
effectively bonded metallic conductors. The inductance, and
related inductive reactance, presented to the total return stroke
current will be determined by the combination of all the
individual inductive paths in parallel. Essentially lightning is a
current source. A given stroke will contain a given amount of
charge (coulombs = amp/seconds) that must be neutralized
during the discharge process. If the return stroke current is

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 50kA – that is the magnitude of the current that will flow,
whether it flows through one ohm or 1000 ohms. Therefore,
achieving the lowest possible impedance serves to minimize
the transient voltage developed across the AFS path through
which the current is flowing [e(t) = I (t)R + L di/dt)].

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Some  Risk  is  Controllable  and  

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(in  part)  may  be  Manageable.

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Some  Risk  Cannot  be  Managed  at  all.  (“First  Strike  –  Bolt  Out  of  The  Blue.”)
First  Strike  –  Bolt  Out  of  The  Blue.”)

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3. LIGHTNING PROTECTION DESIGNS & DEFENSES FOR
MINING OPERATIONS.

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Power & Productivity Losses at: Processing Control Areas?
Electric Power Substations? Security? IT/Computers? Radio
Communications & Dispatch? Administration? Fuel Farm?
Explosives Storage? Mitigating a lightning shutdown of critical
areas can be achieved by the use of a detailed protective approach,
described below in general terms.

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3.1 Air Terminals. Since Franklin's day lightning rods have
been installed upon ordinary structures as sacrificial attachment
points, intending to conduct direct flashes to earth. This

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 integral air terminal design does not provide protection for
integral air terminal design does not provide protection for
electronics, explosives, or people inside modern structures.
electronics, explosives, or people inside modern structures.
Inductive and capacitive coupling (transfer impedance) from
Inductive and capacitive coupling (transfer impedance) from
lightning-energized conductors can result in significant
lightning-energized conductors can result in significant
voltages and currents on interior power, signal and other
voltages and currents on interior power, signal and other
conductors. Overhead shield wires and mast systems located
conductors. Overhead shield wires and mast systems located
above or next to the structure are preferred to lightning rods in
above or next to the structure are preferred to lightning rods in
many circumstances. These are termed indirect air terminal
many circumstances. These are termed indirect air terminal
designs. Such methods attempt to collect lightning above or
designs. Such methods attempt to collect lightning above or
away from the sensitive structure, thus avoiding or reducing
away from the sensitive structure, thus avoiding or reducing
flashover attachment of unwanted currents and voltages to the
flashover attachment of unwanted currents and voltages to the
facility and equipments. These designs have been in use by the
facility and equipments. These designs have been in use by the
electric power industry for over 100 years. Investigation into
electric power industry for over 100 years. Investigation into
applicability of dielectric shielding may provide additional
applicability of dielectric shielding may provide additional
protection where upward leader suppression may influence
protection where upward leader suppression may influence
breakdown voltages (Sandia Laboratories, 1997). Faraday-like
breakdown voltages (Sandia Laboratories, 1997). Faraday-like
interior shielding, either via rebar or inner-wall screening, is
interior shielding, either via rebar or inner-wall screening, is
under investigation for critical applications (US Army Tacom-
under investigation for critical applications (US Army Tacom-
Ardec).

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Direct  AT  design  to  explosives  storage  (not  recommended).  Tanzania.

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Failure  to  bond  (or  to  isolate)    
unused  coaxial  cables  may  

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lead  to  fires,  arcing  or  side  flash.

Unconventional air terminal designs which claim the

Unconventional air terminal designs which claim the
elimination, screening or redirecting of lightning (DAS/CTS -
elimination, screening or redirecting of lightning (DAS/CTS -
Charge Dissipators) or lightning preferential capture (Early
Charge Dissipators) or lightning preferential capture (Early
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Streamer Emitter – ESE/CVM - Dynasphere) deserve a very
Streamer Emitter
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Streamer reception. ESE/CVM
ESE/CVM -- Dynasphere)
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deserveradius very
skeptical claimed effective protection is
skeptical reception.
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radius is
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has beenclaimed effective protection
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and inhas been
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criticized by
been “unconventional by thethe scientific
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Google “unconventional
“unconventional air
air terminal
terminal
designs” for authoritative discussions. Unconventional designs
designs”
designs” for
for authoritative
authoritative discussions.
discussions. Unconventional designs
are not recognized by major Codes, Unconventional
including IEC 62305-3designs
are
are not recognized
not 5.2;
recognized by major Codes, including IEC 62305-3
section AS/NZS by 1768 major
(2007)Codes,
sectionsincluding
1.1 andIEC4.3.262305-3
(d) and
section
section 5.2; AS/NZS
5.2;(2014)
AS/NZS 1768 (2007)
17681.1.3. sections
(2007)Caveat
sections 1.1
1.1 and
and 4.3.2
4.3.2 (d)
(d) and
and
NFPA-780 section Emptor!

NFPA-780
NFPA-780 (2014) section
(2014) section 1.1.3. Caveat Emptor!

1.1.3. Caveat Emptor!

3.2 Downconductors. Downconductor pathways should be
3.2
3.2 Downconductors.
Downconductors. Downconductor pathways should
should be
installed outside of theDownconductor
structure. Rigid pathwaysstrap is preferred be
to
installed
installed outside
outside of the structure. Rigid strap is preferred to
flexible cable due of the structure.
to inductance Rigid strap
advantages. is preferred
Conductors shouldto
flexible
flexible cable
cable due to
to inductance
duesince inductance advantages. Conductors should
not be painted, this will advantages. ConductorsGradual
increase impedance. should
not
not be painted,
bealways
painted, since
sincebethis
this will
will increase
increase impedance. Gradual
bends should employed to avoidimpedance. Gradual
flashover problems.
bends
bends always
always should
should be be employed
employed to
to avoid
avoid flashover problems.
Building structural steel also may be flashover
used in problems.
place of
Building
Building structural
structural steel
steel also
also may may be
be used in
in place
place of
used subsystem of
downconductors where practical as a beneficial to
downconductors
downconductors where
where practical
practical as a beneficial subsystem to
emulate the Faraday Cage concept.as
a beneficial subsystem to
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emulate
emulate the
the Faraday
Faraday Cage
Cage concept.
concept.


3.3 Bonding assures that unrelated conductive objects are at the
3.3
3.3 Bonding
Bonding assures that
assures that unrelated conductive
conductive objects
objects areare at
at the
the
same electrical potential.unrelated
Without proper bonding, lightning
same
same electrical
electrical potential.
potential. Without
Without proper bonding, lightning
protection systems will not work.proper bonding,conductors
All metallic lightning
protection systems
protectionstructures
systems (ex.will
willAC not work.
notpower
work.lines,All
All gasmetallic
metallic conductors
conductors
entering and water pipes,
entering
entering structures (ex. AC
AC power lines, gas
gas and
and water pipes,
data andstructures (ex. HVAC
signal lines, power lines, conduits
ducting, water pipes,
and piping,
data and signal
data and tracks, lines,
signal lines, HVAC
HVAC ducting,
ducting, conduits
conduits and piping,
railroad overhead bridge cranes, roll andup piping,
doors,
railroad
railroad tracks,
tracks, overhead
overhead bridge cranes, roll
roll up doors,
personnel metal door frames,bridge cranes, etc.)
hand railings, up doors,
should be
personnel metal
personnel metal door frames,
door frames, hand railings,
handground
railings, etc.) should
should be
etc.) Connector be
electrically referenced to the same potential.
electrically
electrically referenced
referenced to
to the
the same
same ground potential.
potential. Connector
bonding should be exothermal andground
not mechanical Connector
wherever
bonding
bonding should
should be
be exothermal
exothermal and
and not mechanical
notlocations.
mechanical wherever
wherever
possible, especially in below-grade Mechanical
possible,
possible, especially in below-grade locations. Mechanical
bonds are especially
subject to in below-grade
corrosion locations.
and physical Mechanical
damage. HVAC
bonds are
bonds that subject
are penetrate to
subject toone corrosion
corrosion and physical damage. HVAC
vents structureand from physical
anotherdamage.
should HVACnot be
vents
vents that
that penetrate one structure from
from another should not
not be
ignored as penetrate
they may one structure
become troublesome another should
electrical pathways. be
ignored
ignored as they may become troublesome electrical pathways.
IT ServerasRooms
they may become
require troublesome
special attention electrical
and should pathways.
comply
IT
IT Server
Server Rooms require
Rooms 607-B. special
special attention
require Frequent attention and should
and and
should comply
comply
with TIA/ANSI inspection cross-joint
with TIA/ANSI
with TIA/ANSI 607-B.
607-B. Frequent inspection and cross-joint
measuring (maximum 10 Frequent
milliohms)inspection and cross-joint
of connectors to assure
measuring
measuring is(maximum
(maximum 10
10 milliohms)
milliohms) of of connectors
connectors to to assure
assure
continuity recommended.

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continuity is recommended.

continuity is recommended.

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Equi-­‐potential  bonding  of  cable  trays  in  IT  center.

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Bonding  adjacent  metals  
addresses  arcing  and  side  

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flash  issues.

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!impedance
3.4 Grounding. The grounding system must address low earth
as well as low resistance. A spectral study of
3.4 Grounding. The grounding system must address low earth
lightning's
impedance typical
as wellimpulse
as low reveals bothAa spectral
resistance. high andstudy a low of
frequency
lightning's content. The grounding
typical impulse reveals bothsystem appears
a high and to the
a low
lightning
frequency impulse as agrounding
content. The transmissionsystemlineappears
where towave the
propagation
lightning impulsetheory applies.
as a A considerableline
transmission part of lightning’s
where wave
current responds
propagation theoryhorizontally
applies. A when strikingpart
considerable the of
ground: it is
lightning’s
estimated that lesshorizontally
current responds than 15% of whenit penetrates
striking thetheground:
earth. As it isa
result, low resistance values (25 ohms per National
estimated that less than 15% of it penetrates the earth. As a Electrical
Code)
result, are
lowless important
resistance that volumetric
values (25 ohms per efficiencies.
National
Electrical
Equipotential grounding is achieved when
Code) are less important that volumetric efficiencies. all equipments


within the structure(s)
Equipotential are referenced
grounding is achieved to awhen
masterallbusequipments
bar which
in turn is bonded to the external grounding system.
within the structure(s) are referenced to a master bus bar whichEarth loops
and consequential
in turn is bonded todifferential
the external rise times must
grounding be avoided.
system. Earth loopsThe
grounding system should be designed to reduce AC
and consequential differential rise times must be avoided. The impedance
and DC resistance.
grounding The usebeofdesigned
system should buried linear or radial
to reduce techniques
AC impedance
can lower impedance as they allow lightning energy
and DC resistance. The use of buried linear or radial techniques to diverge
as
caneach
lowerburied conductor
impedance as theyshares
allowvoltage gradients.
lightning energy to Ground
diverge
as each buried conductor shares voltage gradients. Ground !
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 rings connected around structures are useful. Proper use of
concrete footing and foundations (Ufer grounds) increases
volume. Where high resistance soils or poor moisture content
or absence of salts or freezing temperatures are present,
treatment of soils with carbon, Coke Breeze, conductive
cements, natural salts or other low resistance additives may be
useful. These should be deployed on a case-by-case basis
where lowering grounding impedances are difficult and/or
expensive by traditional means.

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Details  missing.  Bus  bar  requires  isolated  stand-­‐offs.  Ghana.

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! This  concrete  electrode  is  a  primary  ground.  
The  ground  wire  is  secondary.  Tanzania.

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3.5 Corrosion and cathodic reactance issues should be
considered during the site analysis phase. Where incompatible
materials are joined, suitable bi-metallic connectors should be
adopted. Joining of aluminum down conductors together with
copper ground wires is a typical situation promising future
troubles.

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3.6 Transients and Surges. Electronic and electrical protection
approaches are well-described in IEEE STD 1100 and the
NLSI website. Recent studies show that 80% of transients are
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internally generated from motor and compressor startups, etc.
The remainder of surges originate from external switching
activities and from lightning. Ordinary fuses and circuit
breakers are not capable of dealing with any transient sources.
Surge protection devices (SPD aka TVSS) are intended to
shunt current, block energy from traveling down the wire, filter
certain frequencies, clamp voltage levels, or perform a
combination of these tasks. Voltage clamping devices capable
of handling extremely high amperages of the surge, as well as
reducing the extremely fast rising edge (dv/dt and di/dt) of the
transient are recommended. They should operate bi-polar and
be installed both on the supply side and the load side.

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Lightning  Risk  Assessments  examine  

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Primary  (Mains/Cat.C)  480V  circuits.

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Is  there  lightning  protection  on  Conveyor  Distribution  Circuits?

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SPDs  are  installed  at  coaxial  cables     14
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SPDs
on  the  bulkhead  ground  reference.  
Australia.
Protecting the AC power main panel, protecting all relevant
secondary distribution panels, and protecting all valuable plug-
in devices such as process control instrumentation, computers,
printers, fire alarms, data recording & SCADA equipment, etc.
is suggested. Protecting incoming and outgoing data and signal
lines (modem, LAN, etc.) is essential. All electrical devices
which serve the primary asset such as well heads, pumps,
remote security alarms, CCTV cameras, high mast lighting, etc.
should be included in the extensive protection review.

Transient limiters should be installed with short lead lengths to
their respective panels. Under fast rise time conditions, cable
inductance becomes important and high transient voltages can
be developed across long leads. SPDs with removable internal
modules are suggested.

In all instances the use high quality, high speed, self-
diagnosing SPD components is suggested. Transient limiting
devices may use spark gap, diverters, metal oxide varistors, gas
tube arrestors, silicon avalanche diodes, or other technologies.
Hybrid devices, using a combination of these techniques, are
preferred. SPDs for IEEE Cat. C Mains should be rated min.
250kA. Distribution and secondary panels, IEEE Cat. B, should
be rated no less than 150kA. It is suggested that user SPD
requirements and specifications conform to the CE mark, as
well as ISO 9000-9001 series quality control standards.
Enclosures should be minimum NEMA-4, with NEMA 4X
preferred. Beware of many unreliable products in the
marketplace. Who are the reputable vendors?

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Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPSs) provide battery backup
in cases of power quality anomalies…brownouts, capacitor
bank switching, outages, lightning, etc. UPSs are employed as
back-up or temporary power supplies. Run time should be
coordinated with server requirements. UPSs should not be used
in place of dedicated SPD devices.

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Correct Category A (wall outlet) installation configuration is:
AC wall outlet to SPD to UPS to equipment. Transfer switches
for automatic Start/Stop of standby generators must be SPD-
protected at the distribution service location.

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3.7 Detection. The best detector is human recognition equating
thunder with lightning: hearing thunder indicates the lightning
is within one’s hearing range. That is very close. It is time
NOW to seek shelter. The marketplace provides good/not good/
poor products for lightning detection. They are available at
differing costs and technologies and may be useful to provide
early warnings. They acquire lightning signals such as RF, MF,
EF, or light from Cloud-to-Cloud or Cloud-to-Ground or
atmospheric gradients. RF devices are not effective beyond
about 30 miles (45km). EF detectors are useful for explosives
safety purposes, with no more than a 2KV warning threshold.
Most hand-held detectors lack accuracy. Users should beware
of over-confidence in detection equipment. They are not perfect
and do not always acquire all lightning all the time. Detectors
cannot “predict” lightning. Detectors cannot help with first
strike “Bolt from The Blue” events.

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 Some detectors should only be used for hobby purposes: not
for life safety. The list of reputable detection equipment is
short. We recommend redundancy (where practical) with a
TOA network system, a professional grade detector, and a
reliable handheld (most are no more than 60% efficient)
detector. A notification system of radios, loudspeakers, strobe
lights, remote sirens, telephone, cell phone and/or other
communication means should be employed with the detectors.
See the NLSI website page www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_lhm/
detectors.html for a more detailed treatment of detectors. We
can recommend and supervise installation of one or more types
of detectors based upon local conditions.

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3.8 Inspection, Maintenance & Testing. Modern diagnostic
testing is available to “verify” the performance of lightning
conducting devices as well as to indicate the general route of
lightning through structures. With such techniques, lightning
pathways can be inferred reliably. Sensors which register
lightning current attachments can be fastened to
downconductors. Regular physical inspections and testing
should be a part of an established preventive maintenance
program. Failure to maintain any lightning protection system
may render it ineffective.

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4. PERSONNEL SAFETY ISSUES.

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4.1 Education is the essential tool for outdoor employee and
contractor safety. It should be a part of the initial induction
training process and a topic for regular toolbox safety briefings.
NLSI provides various safety instruction media (videos/
booklets/instruction materials) for this purpose. They should be
installed on the mine’s IT server system for access by all
persons.

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4.2 Lightning safety should be understood and practiced by all
personnel during thunderstorms. If thunder is heard, the
accompanying lightning is within one’s hearing range:
evacuation to a safe location should be immediate. Measuring
lightning's distance with professional-grade detection
equipment is an estimate with varying accuracies. Detector
selection is site-specific and cannot be summarized here. We
generally recommend suspending all outdoor activities when
lightning crosses a ten mile radius. With compliance to a NLSI
Field Audit, it may be possible to reduce this radius to 5-8
miles. Activities should not be resumed until 20-30 minutes has
expired from the last observed thunder or lightning. This is a
conservative approach -- perhaps it is not practical in all
circumstances. Safety is the prevailing directive. Generally for
outdoor workers, we suggest an action protocol according to
recommendations in NFPA-780, Annex M:

Yellow Alert – Lightning is 20 to 40 miles (30-60 km)
distant. Be cautious.

Orange Alert – Lightning is 11-19 miles (16-30 km) distant.
Be aware.

Red Alert – Lightning is 0-10 miles (0-16 km). Suspend
activities. Go to shelter.

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Lightning  Safety  Signage  in  Chile  
is  a  part  of  Worker  Training.

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fety   Lightning  Safety  
  Policies  and  

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are   Procedures  are  
 worker   Essential  for  worker  

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Training.

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4.3 When lightning threatens, standard safety measures should
include: avoid water and all metal objects; get off the higher
elevations including rooftops; avoid solitary trees; stay off the
telephone. A fully enclosed metal vehicle – van, car or truck –
is a mostly safe place because of the quasi-Faraday Cage effect.
(See: YouTube “Faraday Cage” for a demonstration.) A large
permanent building also can be considered a safe place.
(Disclosure. We design and we certify lightning shelters
according to International Standards. Contact us for details.)

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Every organization should consider adopting and promulgating
a Lightning Safety Plan specific to its operations. An all-
encompassing General Rule should be: “If you can hear it
(thunder), clear it (evacuate); if you can see it (lightning), flee

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 it.” For open pit mining operations, including processing, we
suggest all workers should be within a 3-4 minute walk to
safety when Red Alerts are announced.

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Mass-­‐production  of  cut  down  

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shipping  containers.  Peru.

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! Portable  Shelter  on  skids.  Easily  re-­‐located  as  required.  Peru.

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5. CODES AND STANDARDS.

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In the USA there is no single lightning safety code or standard
providing comprehensive assistance for mining activities.
NFPA-780 is a general installation guideline for lightning
protection systems. US Government lightning protection
documents should be consulted. The Federal Aviation
Administration FAA-STD-019d and the US Air Force AFI
32-1065 are valuable. The IEEE 142 and IEEE 1100
Recommended Practices are suggested. Other recommended
federal codes include military documents MIL HDBK 419A,
Army PAM 385-64, NAVSEA OP 5, AFI 32-1065, NASA STD
E0012E, MIL STD 188-124B, MIL STD 1542B, MIL STD
5087B, and UFC 3-570-01. The International Electrotechnical

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 Commission IEC 62305 and IEC 61643 series for lightning
protection are comprehensive, excellent reference documents
for the lightning protection engineer. Adopted by many
countries, IEC 62305/61643 are science-based documents
applicable to many design situations. Spanish speaking mining
operations should consult the Mexican lightning protection
code NMX-J-549-ANCE. The AS/NZS-1768 (2007), the
SANS-62305 (2007) and the Singapore 62305 are excellent
documents. Beware the French NF C17-102 and the Spanish
UNE-21186 codes which are produced by enthusiastic
salesmen promoting unconventional designs, not by objective
engineers and scientists.

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6. CONCLUSION.

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6.1 Natural hazards such as lightning are low probability/high
consequences events. Risk management of the lightning hazard
requires an in-depth assessment.

Lightning has its own agenda and may cause damage despite
application of best efforts. Any comprehensive approach for
protection should be site-specific to attain maximum
efficiencies. In order to mitigate the hazard, systematic
attention to details of grounding, bonding, shielding, air
terminals, surge protection devices, lightning detection,
personnel notification, safe shelters, personnel education, and
adoption of risk management principles are recommended.

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6.2 Areas of vulnerability at typical mines include: Security;
Communications & Radio Towers; IT Operations; Gated
Entrances; Conveyors & Crushers; Processing; Explosives
Storage; Drilling; Loading; Hauling; Maintenance Buildings;
Administrative Buildings; Laboratory Buildings; Cafeterias;
Weigh Stations; Fuel Tanks Storage Areas; Compressor and
Pumping Stations; Cranes; Guard Crossings; Exploration Crew
Activities; Diesel Generator Stations; Electric Power Sub

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 Stations…(this is not a complete listing…) and other high asset
locations specific to particular mine activities.

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6.3 Should a site-wide lightning hazard and risk assessment be
conducted? Should a walk down evaluation of critical electrical
and electronic equipments be conducted to identify defenses?
Are mine personnel informed about lightning safety measures?

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6.4 The NLSI consultancy at your mine properties can provide:

A. Comprehensive worker safety training.

B. Site-focused Policies and Procedures

C. Comprehensive inspections of electrical/electronic

vulnerabilities with recommended defenses.

We have on-the-ground experience at large scale mining
operations in Ghana, Tanzania, Peru, Dominican Republic,
Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and
the USA. Contact us for a mine site audit/assessment. Thank
you for your attention to this Technical Report.

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! The  Lightning  Safety  Task  Force  identifies  critical  mining  operations.  

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___________________________________________

Corresponding Authors:

1. R i c h a r d K i t h i l ( D e n v e r U S A Office)
rkithil@lightningsafety.com

2. O r l a n d o A l z a m o r a ( L i m a P e r u Office)
oalzamora@lightningsafety.com

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7. REFERENCES.

7.1 IEEE STD 142-1991 Grounding of Industrial and Commercial Power Systems

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IEEE 1999

7.2 IEEE STD 1100-2005 Powering and Grounding Electronic Equipment, IEEE

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2005

7.3 International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Standards for

Lightning Protection IEC-62305, IEC-61643.

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See: http://www.iec.ch

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7.4 Gardner RL, Lightning Electromagnetics, Hemisphere Publishing, 1991

7.5 EMC for Systems and Installations, T. Williams and K. Armstrong, Newnes

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London, 2000.

7.6 Lightning Protection for Engineers, NLSI, 2013. See www.amazon.com/shops/

nlsi

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7.7 Lightning Protection for Critical Facilities, NLSI, 2013.

7.8 Dehn & Sohne, Lightning Protection Guide, Dehn & Sohne, Neumarkt,

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Germany, 2007

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7.9 Hasse, P., Overvoltage Protection of Low Voltage Systems, IEEE 1992

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7.10 Gary, C., La Foudre, Masson, Paris 1999

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7.11 Office of Naval Research, A Study of Lightning Protection Systems, 1981

7.12 Seminars in Neurology, Lightning and Electrical Injuries, Parts I & II, Thieme

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Publishers, 1995

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7.13 Lee, R. Grounding & Lightning Protection, Notes - Privately Published 1982

7.14 Waters, WE, Electrical Induction from Distant Current Sources, Prentice Hall
1983

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23
 PERSONNEL  SAFETY  
NLSI  LIGHTNING  PROTECTION  AUDIT  
! Mine:_________________________    Date:  ____________  
Part  1:    Assessment  &  RecommendaAons  for  Personnel  Safety  

1.Policy  

2.Procedures  

3.DetecAon  

4.NoAficaAon  Stages  

5.NoAficaAon  Process  

6.Safe  Shelters  

7.Training  

8.Electrical  Work  

9.Environmental  Work  

10.Surveying  

11.ExploraAon  

12.ER  Training  

13.Pedestrian  Traffic  
14.Heavy  Machinery  OperaAon  

15.Light  Machinery  OperaAon  

16.Drilling  

17.BlasAng  

18.Explosives  Storage  

19.Ore  Haulage  

20.IntermiZant  Visitors  

21.Stores  AcAviAes  

22.Mobile  Crane  OperaAons  

23.Scaffold  Work  

24.Manual  Labor  AcAviAes  

25.Main  Gate  AcAviAes  

26.Secondary    Gate  AcAviAes  

27.Catwalk  AcAviAes  

28.Underground  OperaAons  

29.Admin.  AcAviAes  

30.Refueling  OperaAons  

31.EducaAon  

32.Other  +++
 POWER  QUALITY    
NLSI  LIGHTNING  PROTECTION  AUDIT  
Mine:  ______________________    Date:  __________  

Part  2:  Assessment  &  RecommendaDons  for  Power  Quality  ConDnuity  

1.  Admin.  Bldg.  

2.  Explosives  Stores  

3.  Batch  Plant  

4.  CCTV  System  

5.  Crusher  

6.  Crusher  MCC  

7.  Crusher  Control  

8.  Screens  

9.  Conveyors  

10.  Repeater  A  

11.  Repeater  B  

12.  Repeater  C  

13.  Ball/Sag  Mills  

14.  Tanks  
15.  Mill  MCC  

16.  Mill  Control  Room  

17.  Concentrator  

18.  ILR  Control  Panel  

19.  Gold  Room  

20.  Carbon  Regen.  

21.  Telemetry  

22.  Reagents  Lime  Plant  

23.  Diesel  Storage  Tanks  

24.  Diesel  Bowser  

25.  Power  House  

26.  SubstaDon  

27.  Lime  Plant  

28.  Bore  Fields  

29.  Water  Pumps  

30.  Main  Switchboard  

31.  Server  Room  

32.  PABX  

33.  Laboratory  

34.  Secondary  Gates  

35.  Main  Gate  

36.  Fire  Alarm  

36.  Redeemer  

37.  Generator  Plant  

38.  Tailings  OperaDons  

39.  Truck  Shop  

40.  Stores  

41.  RecreaDon  Area  

42.  Cafeteria  

43.  Emergency  Response  

44.  Weigh  StaDon  

45.  Leach  Pads  

46.  Airfield  OperaDons  

47.  IT  Center  

48.  Dormitories  

49.  RecreaDon  Areas  

50.  CommunicaDons  Towers  

51.  Maintenance  Procedures  

52.  InspecDon  Procedures  

53.  Other  +++