Page 19 - Advances In Productive, Safe, and Responsible Coal Mining

6 Advances in Productive, Safe, and Responsible Coal Mining

35
30

25
Scaled IR 20
15

10

5
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Scaled tons/ManHr
2
Fig. 1.5 Logarithmic regression analysis of Cluster 1, R ¼0.0846.

140
120

100
Total IR 80
60
40

20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Tons/ManHr
2
Fig. 1.6 Logarithmic regression analysis of Clusters 2–4, R ¼0.6646.

returning the land to as good or better use after mining do not have standardized for-
mulas for calculating them like injury frequency rates do. Clearly, reducing safety
incidents has a positive impact on mine productivity and profitability. On the other
hand, reducing environmental impacts appears to only have a negative impact on
the bottom line.
As previously stated, extracting minerals from the earth, by its very nature, is a
destructive process; however, it is possible to minimize damages by first systemati-
cally evaluating local and industry-wide environmental impacts; then developing
methods to counter as many of those impacts as possible; and, finally, implementing
methods that prove successful. Regulations have established standardized methods for