AN INFORMATION-SYSTEM TO PREVENT SULFIDE DUST IGNITION

An information system has been developed for the use of companies cons idering developing a new mine which may be liable to secondary sulphid e ignitions or by existing operations. The system uses the Comdale X e xpert system to analyze information about a particular mine. The syste m will indicate whether the mine is likely to experience ignitions and what precautions can be taken to reduce or prevent their occurrence. The advantage of an information system using expert system and artific ial intelligence principles is that it can recommend action when there is an incomplete knowledge of all the system parameters. By interroga tion of the user it can determine the state of knowledge and react acc ordingly. It is considered that such systems could be of significant u se in mine planning for new and existing properties, especially where operators have limited expertise regarding secondary sulphide ignition s.