Directive No. 04/1999/CT-BCN on Strengthening Technical Safety Management in Coal Mines and Other Mineral Deposits

DIRECTIVE

On strengthening technical safety management in coal shaft mines and other mineral deposits

and other minerals

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In recent years, the coal mining industry has seen significant development with annual production exceeding ten million tons, but it has also revealed many shortcomings from exploration, research, surveying, design stages, particularly in mine gas management. The number of CH gas explosion incidents has increased, causing substantial losses in human lives and property. On January 11, 1999, at the Ma Coi coal mine, a CH gas explosion occurred, resulting in 19 deaths and 12 injuries.₄ frequently occur, causing significant losses of life and property. On January 11, 1999, at the Mạo Khê coal mine, an explosion of CH gas occurred, resulting in 19 deaths and 12 injuries.₄ on March 12, 1999, at the Mạo Khê coal mine. Regularly report to the Ministry of Industry the progress in implementing these measures.

Vietnam Coal Corporation and the Ma Coi coal mine organized lessons learned and implemented technological and safety measures to resume normal operations on February 26, 1999. On March 12, 1999, the Ministry of Industry convened a meeting to review and draw lessons to prevent recurrence of such accidents. Based on the conference conclusions, the Minister of Industry issued the following directives:

I. FOR THE VIETNAM COAL CORPORATION:

1- Implement well the fourteen measures to enhance coal mining safety in shaft mines as outlined by the Deputy General Director of Vietnam Coal Corporation in his report at the accident review meeting held on March 12, 1999. Regularly report to the Ministry of Industry on the progress of implementing these measures.₄ 3- Conduct a recheck and adjust the ventilation network in all underground mines to ensure compliance with the ventilation requirements according to the mine's gas level.

2- Conduct a comprehensive inspection of all mines. Mines that do not meet the minimum technical safety conditions stipulated by the State, the Ministry, and the Corporation shall not be permitted to commence construction or operation.

5- Implement the gas measurement, gas analysis, and wind speed measurement regime as prescribed by safety technical regulations.

3- Reinspect and adjust the ventilation network in all shaft mines to ensure compliance with ventilation requirements based on the mine's gas level.

7- Review the organizational system for safety work from the总公司到各个矿井，以提高管理水平、业务能力和对技术安全工作的责任感。安排人员直接指挥和监督工人在工作前和工作过程中按照安全规范的规定进行操作。

4- Review and evaluate the equipment system and electrical network in shaft mines to ensure safe explosion prevention conditions. Remove from the shafts any equipment and machinery that does not meet explosion-proof safety standards.

7. Review the organizational system for safety work from the Corporation to the mines in order to enhance the level of management skills and the sense of responsibility regarding technical safety work. Arrange supervisors and direct monitors for workers before and during their work in accordance with the provisions of safety regulations.

5- Implement gas measurement and analysis, and wind measurement regimes according to prescribed technical safety regulations.

II. FOR THE FUNCTIONAL AGENCIES OF THE MINISTRY

6- Organize retraining for all staff and workers in shaft mines regarding mine gas management and preventive measures against accidents caused by gas fires and explosions.

2- The Technical Safety Inspection Agency:

7- Review the organizational structure for safety work from the Corporation to individual mines to improve management skills, expertise, and responsibility for technical safety. Assign supervisors to oversee workers before and during their work in accordance with safety regulations.

b) Develop and submit to the Minister of Industry for approval and issuance technical standards for safety against explosions, inspection contents and volumes for equipment used in mines containing explosive gases and dust listed in point (a) above.

8- The Vietnam Coal Corporation and the Institute of Mining Science and Technology should accelerate the implementation of the project "Research on Mine Gas Management and Construction of a Mine Safety Gas Management Center" to apply it to production as soon as possible.

II. FOR MINISTRY FUNCTIONAL AGENCIES:

1- The Planning and Investment Department shall prepare a report to the Government on the project "Research and Evaluation of Gas Content in Coal Seams and Regions in Quang Ninh Province" to serve as a basis for classification of gas when investing, designing, and operating each mine and region.

III. FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN MINERAL EXPLORATION UNDER THE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY

2- The Technical Safety Inspection and Supervision Bureau:₄ a) Coordinate with relevant agencies of the Ministry and the Vietnam Coal Corporation to compile a list of special-purpose equipment and materials for safety in gas and dust explosion-prone shaft mines, to be submitted to the Minister of Industry for decision and issuance. This list includes specific types of equipment and materials for the mining sector that fall outside the scope of equipment and materials with strict safety labor requirements as stipulated in Circular No. 22/TT-LĐTBXH dated November 8, 1996.

b) Develop technical safety standards for explosion prevention and inspection content and volume for equipment used in gas and dust explosion-prone mines listed in point (a) above, to be reviewed and issued by the Minister of Industry.