Mine Seals Design
MM&A's engineers work with mining companies to implement and obtain the necessary MSHA district approvals to install Minova mine seals. MM&A has worked with Minova USA, Inc. (Minova) of Georgetown, Kentucky, to design seals made of Minova "Tekseal"® cementious material that satisfies the requirements of The Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) issued under Section 101(b) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. The Act was a result of mine explosions in 2006 that resulted in more than thirteen fatalities. To date, MM&A has assisted Minova in obtaining eight different seal approvals. These are:
50 psi Approved Seal Designs:
- Main Line Seal in a Stable Entry - MSHA Approval No. 50-75.336.1.07.04.1
- Main Line Seal with Convergence - MSHA Approval No. 50-75.336.1.07.05.1
- Gob Seal in a Stable Entry - MSHA Approval No. 50-75.336.1.07.06.1
- Gob Seal with Convergence - MSHA Approval No. 50-75.336.1.07.07.1
120 psi Approved Seal Designs:
- Main Line Seal in a Stable Entry - MSHA Approval No. 120-75.336.1.07.15.1
- Main Line Seal with Convergence - MSHA Approval No. 120-75.336.1.07.16.1
- Gob Seal in a Stable Entry - MSHA Approval No. 120-75.336.1.07.13.1
- Gob Seal with Convergence - MSHA Approval No. 120-75.336.1.07.14.1
Currently, MM&A is working with clients in the installation of the Minova plug-type seal in difficult mining conditions. Representative of these conditions are where the immediate roof of entries has caved, filling the entry and often leaving an opening atop the cave that is irregular. MM&A has addressed these conditions by designing programs to stabilize the fill allowing the seal to be constructed atop the cave. The Minova plug-type seal is easily modified to irregular shaped openings. MM&A's engineers verified the application of the seals to specific locations in the mine, by acting as the Professional Engineer on behalf of the company, in supervising the construction and installation of the seals, and in completing the necessary verification documents.