ADDIS ABABA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MINING ENGINEERING
COURSE: MINE HAZARD & RESCUE
Title: Lighting arrangement in underground & opencast
workings
GROUP 3 MEMBERS ID NO
1) Bereket Bula ETS 0203/13
2) Eyob Daniel ETS 0464/13
3) Samuel Enchalew ETS 1133/13
4) Temesgen Silabat ETS 1215/13
5) Bernabas Awgchew ETS 0224/13
6) Binyam Abebe ETS 0198/13
7) Yohannes Messele ETS 1342/13

Submitted to: Instructor Gutu Z. (M.Sc)

Submission date: may 24, 2023
 Table of content

1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1

2. Lighting arrangement in underground and opencast workings....................................................2

2.1 Some critical areas to be illuminated in Surface Mines.........................................................2

3. Available Lamps in Market for lighting requirements................................................................3

A) Incandescent lamps:................................................................................................................3

B) Fluorescent lamps:...................................................................................................................3

C) High pressure mercury vapour (HPMV) lamps:.....................................................................4

D) Metal Halide (MH) lamp.........................................................................................................5

E) Low pressure sodium (LPS) lamps:........................................................................................5

F) High pressure sodium vapour (HPSV) lamps:.........................................................................6

F) LED Lighting...........................................................................................................................7

4. Minimum standards for underground lighting ............................................................................8

4.1 Recommended Standard of illumination at certain places.....................................................8

5. Lighting standards recommended for opencast mines.................................................................9

5.1 The minimum standards recommended for Open cast mines................................................9

6. Standard voltage limits in mines................................................................................................10

7. Safety Criterion..........................................................................................................................11

8. Future Technology in lights.......................................................................................................11

9. Conclusion.................................................................................................................................12

10. Reference.................................................................................................................................13
 1. INTRODUCTION

 Lighting is a crucial aspect of mining operations, whether in underground or opencast

workings. Proper lighting arrangements are essential for ensuring the safety and productivity
of workers in these environments. In underground mining, where natural light is limited or
nonexistent, artificial lighting systems are used to provide illumination.
 Opencast mining typically has ample natural light, but lighting may still be necessary for
night-time operations or in areas where there are shadows or obstructions. In this
introduction, we will provide a brief overview of the different types of lighting arrangements
commonly used in underground and opencast workings, as well as the factors that must be
considered when designing effective lighting systems for mining operations.

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 2. Lighting arrangement in underground and opencast workings

Working in a mine, whether it is an underground mine or an opencast mine, requires a lot of lighting.
When working after dark, opencast mining requires an effective lighting system.

When operating below throughout the day, an extremely effective lighting system is necessary for
underground mining. Any lighting system utilized must adhere to mining standards and regulations,
use the least amount of power possible, produce the lightest, and have the fewest maintenance issues
possible.

Currently, conventional lighting systems, which consume a lot of power and have significant
maintenance issues, are employed primarily inside the mine. At present, mostly conventional
systems of lighting are used inside the mine which extract lots of power and deal with major
maintenance problems. So, a replacement to such methods is required for establishing an appropriate
lighting system which can overcome all the flaws and improvements required in the current
conventional lighting system. Further, in mines a good lighting installation is one, which provides
optimal illuminance level, distribution of light (i.e. uniformity) and avoids glare.

2.1 Some critical areas to be illuminated in Surface Mines

 Material to be loaded and filling level in the bucket or bowl.

 Illumination of haul roads.
 Spotting dumpers for loading and unloading at dump yards, stackyards etc.
 Viewing the edge of the dump and along walkways.
 Inside the cabins of machinery and along walkways.
 Below the shovels, under the carriage to identify any leakages and for handling of trailing
cables ring relocation manoeuvres.
 Over the deck of shovels and draglines for routine maintenance and inspection.

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 3. Available Lamps in Market for lighting requirements

A) Incandescent lamps: Tungsten filament lamp is the most common type used in interior
lighting of buildings in surface mine projects. It produces light with a continuous spectrum.
These lamps have a limited life and efficacy (22).

Lamp efficacy varies directly with filament temperature, due to its high operating temperature, the
tungsten filament evaporates leading to blackening of the lamp and finally to failure of the lamp. A
newer upgrade is tungsten halogen incandescent lamp. In this lamp, a halogen is added to the fill
gas thereby preventing blackening of the lamp and this principle makes it necessary to adopt a
smaller bulb and to increase the pressure of the inert gas, but the temperature can be higher than
with normal incandescent lamps resulting in lights, traffic signals projectors and spotlights. Due to
their low efficacy and rather limited life, they are not recommended for load lighting purpose.

Fig.1 Incandescent lamp

B) Fluorescent lamps: The cathodes in these lamps are preheated to generate electrons that will
let the arc strike at a lower voltage. Additionally, instant start lamps have been created, largely to
combat preheat lamps' delayed startup. Auxiliary circuit requirements are made simpler by this, but
the necessary ballasts are huge and expensive. The tabular bulb with electrodes sealed at each end,
mercury vapour at low pressure, and a little amount of inert gas for starting make up the tubular
fluorescent lamp. Fluorescent particles are placed on the tube's inner surface.

When electric current is passed through the gas mixture, predominantly ultraviolet (UV) radiation is
produced. The fluorescent powders absorb the UV (ultraviolet) radiation and radiate in the visible

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range. By varying the composition of the fluorescent powders, lamp types with different color
appearance and color rendering properties can be made. Fluorescent lamps are commonly available
in the range of about 100 lm to 10,000 lm corresponding to 4W to 110W for the given lamp length
of a is the tube.

Fig. 2 Fluorescent lamps

C) High pressure mercury vapour (HPMV) lamps: It consists of two operating

electrodes with an electron- emission coating, a gas. Starting electrode, some liquid mercury, argon
gas. The arc tube is where the light is produced.

Collisions between electrons and mercury atoms in the arc ionize the mercury atoms to produce
the characteristics spectral lines of mercury. This occurs when the outer electrons of mercury
atoms return to their normal state and release radiant energy in the transition. Some energy is in
the UV region and is absorbed by the glass envelope. If fluorescent powder is coated on the
inside of the envelop, the UV radiation can be converted to visible light. If this is done the lamp
is usually called ‘color improved’.

fig. 3 High pressure mercury vapour lamp

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D) Metal Halide (MH) lamp: The Metal Halide (MH) lamps are similar in construction to the
HPMV lamps. The difference being that the discharge tube of the former contains one or more
metals in addition to mercury.

The iodides of sodium, indium, and thallium make up a common combination of halides. These
halides boost the intensity in the blue, green, and yellow-red spectral bands. The emission comes
from a part of the spectrum that the eyes are particularly sensitive to. The ultimate product is a
400W lamp with an effectiveness of more than 80 lm/w and reasonable color rendering. The
floodlighting of wide regions is its primary use. The lifespan of metal halide lamps is less than
that of other discharge lamps with comparable energy. Therefore, these lamps do not provide a
cost-effective option for lighting roads. Most metal halide lamps are commonly available in the
approximate range of 20,000 to 2,00,000 lm corresponding to 250 to 2000W.

Fig. 4 Metal Halide lamp

E) Low pressure sodium (LPS) lamps: This lamp consists of a borate coated sodium
resistant U- shaped tube contained inside a cylindrical glass envelope.

A U-shaped tube containing a small amount of sodium is heated to a temperature of around 235
degrees Celsius. To help in starting, a mixture of insert gases including neon, argon, xenon, and
helium is present. To stop the arc's convective heat from escaping through the outer glass
envelope, a high vacuum is applied there. The lamp first appears red when turned on because of
neon discharge, but this gradually fades to the distinctive yellow when the sodium is vaporized.
It may take the lamp 15 minutes to attain its maximum brightness and 1 to 2 minutes to resume
after a power outage. Low-pressure sodium lamps are available in a light output range of around

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 2000 to 3500 lm, or 18 to 180 W. Low pressure sodium vapor lamp have not become popular for
mine lighting.

Fig. 5 Low pressure sodium lamp

F) High pressure sodium vapour (HPSV) lamps: the arc tube in a high-pressure sodium
vapour (HPSV) lamp is composed of a translucent high-transmissivity, polycrystalline-alumina
ceramic and is smaller in diameter than the arc tube of a mercury vapor lamp. The mercury-sodium
amalgam, xenon gas, and two operational electrodes are all included in the contents of the arc tube.
The high operating temperature of the narrow diameter arc tube eliminates the need for a starting
electrode during warm-up.

The efficacy of an HPSV lamp is nearly double that of an HPMV lamp. The higher efficacy of
sodium lamps is due to sodium's ability to emit a higher proportion of light at visible
wavelengths, where the eye is most sensitive. The creation of a transparent ceramic arc tube and
a method for sealing electrodes inside the tube to withstand high temperatures and the corrosive
effects of heated sodium vapors allowed for the creation of the lamp. In case of HPSV lamps, a
special ballast circuit is utilized to provide a short duration, high voltage spike across the main
electrodes, which readily ionizes the xenon gas. The xenon gas vaporizes the amalgam that
enters the arc stream. Lumen output increases until a steady state operating condition is reached
in about 3 minutes. HPSV lamps are available in the range 3000 to 130000 lm corresponding to
50 to 1000 W.

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 Fig. 6 High pressure sodium vapour lamp and its component

F) LED Lighting: Some special diodes that emit light when connected in a circuit. They are
frequently used as “pilot” lights in electronic appliances to indicate whether the circuit is closed
or not. The two wires extending below the LED epoxy enclosure or the “bulb” indicate how the
LED should be connected into a circuit. The negative side of an LED lead is indicated in two
ways:

i. by the flat side of the bulb, and

ii. by the shorter of the two wires extending from the LED.

Fig. 7 LED Lights

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 4. Minimum standards for underground lighting
PLACE Minimum average illumination level in
(lux)
Pit bottom 15-30
Main junctions 12.5
Roadways 4
Haulage engines, control gear and haulage 15
drum

Additional standards include:

 The roof and side should be properly white washed and stone dusted on the floor as
required under the statute to achieve the illumination to the standards for providing
necessary visibility for safe and efficient work at different places.
 The standard of lighting in depillaring area should be at less 1.5 lumens/sq. ft. at the floor
level. Suitable flood lighting may be arranged by 4 or more 250 W bulbs with reflector
(matt surface) in degree I gassy mine. In degree II and III gassy seams a cluster of 15 to
20 cap lamps should be placed on suitable stand in the area in addition to individual
lights.

4.1 Recommended Standard of illumination at certain places

Place/ Area Minimum Orientation

1 At the bottom of a sinking shaft 10 Lux Vertical

2 At the mechanized quarry face 15 Lux Horizontal

3 At the coal depot 10 Lux Vertical

4 where wagons are 3 Lux Horizontal

5 At fully mechanized longwall face 10 Lux Vertical

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 5. Lighting standards recommended for opencast mines

An opencast mine's general lighting setup is typically wired into a single power source. An
electrical breakdown might happen at any time, leaving the entire region in complete darkness
and increasing the risk of an accident.

Therefore, in addition to the main lighting setup in the opencast mines, individual lights may be
provided to certain workers. Draglines and other heavy earth moving machinery (HEMM) create
benches that can reach heights of up to 45 metres, and maintaining sufficient lighting for these
benches is particularly challenging. It could be challenging to identify the locations that need
dressing, from the working points to the draglines or shovels

5.1 The minimum standards recommended for Open cast mines

Place/Area to be illuminated Manner in which it is to be Minimum standard Plane level

illuminated of illumination (lux)

1 General working area as Any 0.2 At the level of

determined by the manager surface

2 Work place of heavy So as to cover the depth and 5 Horizontal

machinery height through which machine
works

3 Area where drilling rig works So as to illuminate the full 10 Vertical

height of the rig

4 Area where bulldozer or Any 10 At all levels

other tractor mounted
machines work

5 Places where manual work is To be provided at level of the 10 Both Horizontal

done surface on which work is done and Vertical
planes

6 Place where loading or Any 3 Horizontal

unloading or transfer, of
dumpers, trucks or trains is
carried out

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7 Operators cabin of machines To be provided up to a height 30 Horizontal
or mechanism of 0.8m from floor level

8 At hand picking points along To be provided up to a 50 On the surface of

conveyor belt distance of not less than 1.5m conveyor belt
from picker

9 Truck hauling roads To be provided at the level of 3 Horizontal

the roads

10 Rail haulage track in the pit To be provided at the level of 0.5 Horizontal
the rail heads

11 Roadways and footpaths from Any 3 Horizontal

bench to bench

12 Permanent paths for use of Any 1 horizontal

person employed

6. Standard voltage limits in mines

 In a mine the maximum allowable energy that can be transmitted in 11000 volts and
maximum limit for using power is 6600 Volts. Provided that:
i. For hand-held apparatuses, the voltage should be less than 125 volts.
ii. For the use of electricity: –
a) For underground mines, the lighting system should be properly grounded with a
neutral wire and voltage should not exceed 125 volts.
b) For open cast mining projects, maximum limit of 250 volts is allowed over a
condition that the neutral wire shall be properly grounded and between the phase’s
voltage should be less than 250 volts.
c) Maximum 30 volts power supply can be used for portable hand-held apparatus.
d) For the use of remote controlled and electric interlocking of any apparatus,
the circuit voltage should be less than 30 volts.

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 7. Safety Criterion

The lighting fixtures that will be employed inside the mine should largely meet two requirements:
•intrinsically safe: a device is safe to use in hazardous areas that may contain fuel in the
atmosphere, such as flammable gasses or vapors, or combustible dust. An intrinsically safe
device is therefore incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy to ignite the
fuel and cause fire or explosion.
• flame-proof: It should be resistant to catch fire. That is, under the conditions of any
explosion or fire, it should not act as a self-fuel and should not assist the fire.

8. Future Technology in lights

LED luminaires can be designed to achieve maximum illumination in mines. LEDs are solid
state source which reduces the danger of accidental fires normally observed in other sources.
Before actually manufacturing any model, it can be designed in Light Tools or similar software
and checked for output values. LED technology has been around for a long time and ignored
perhaps because it was not cost effective enough to produce despite its efficiency and lower
energy consumption.

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 9. Conclusion
In conclusion, lighting arrangements are a critical component of mining operations, whether in
underground or opencast workings. Effective lighting systems are essential for ensuring the
safety and productivity of workers in these environments. In underground mining, artificial
lighting systems must be used to provide illumination due to the limited or nonexistent natural
light. Different lighting arrangements, such as overhead lighting, low-level lighting, and portable
lighting, can be used to provide adequate illumination in different areas of the mine.

In opencast mining, natural light is often sufficient, but lighting may still be necessary for night-
time operations or in areas where there are shadows or obstructions. In these cases, portable
lighting systems or temporary lighting arrangements can be used to provide adequate
illumination.

Several factors must be considered when designing lighting arrangements for mining operations,
including the type of mining operation, the size and shape of the mine, the location of the mining
site, and the type of equipment used. Lighting systems must also be designed to minimize glare
and shadows, which can cause eye strain and reduce visibility.

In summary, proper lighting arrangements are crucial for ensuring the safety and productivity of
workers in underground and opencast mining operations. By carefully considering the factors
involved in designing effective lighting systems, mining companies can provide adequate
illumination and create a safe working environment for their employees.

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10. Reference

 https://www.tutorialspoint.com/

 https://www.energy.gov/

 https://www.electrical4u.com/

 http://www.crushingnquarrying.com/

 Sodium-vapor lamp - Wikipedia

 Metal-halide lamp - Wikipedia

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