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Engineering Experience

Below is a partial listing of operations that MVS has conducted work for.  To download a full list of MVS Engineering Qualifications and Staff Profiles, please visit the Staff Page and the links below.


Coal and Nonmetal Operations

Elk Creek Mine, Bowie Resources – Colorado December 1997
MVS performed ventilation design studies for this US coal producer. The studies included network simulation analyses for the determination of future fan requirements.

Camp #1 and #11 Mines, Peabody Coal Company – Kentucky, December 1999
MVS conducted detailed ventilation surveys at these large coal mines. Ventilation network models were constructed from measured data, and training courses provided to the engineers. Optimization and future design analyses have been conducted.

Deserado Mine, Blue Mountain Energy – Colorado, July 2001 & January 2007
MVS conducted a ventilation survey and numerous ventilation analyses for this longwall coal mine. Current on going studies include sizing a new shaft and analyzing several ventilation configurations.

Federal #2 Mine, Eastern Associated Coal Company – West Virginia, February 2001
A ventilation study was performed for this complex longwall coal mine. A detailed ventilation survey, a model correlation, and future simulation analyses were conducted. The results of the analyses assisted mine personnel in sizing and locating bleeder shafts for future mine production.

FMC Wyoming Mine, FMC Wyoming Corporation – Wyoming, January 1999
MVS staff conducted a ventilation survey for this large trona mine.  All of the main underground airways, the eight shafts and the three intake fans were all measured and successfully modeled using the VnetPC program.  A formal presentation was given at the mine site following the survey and model development.

Green River Soda Ash Operations, General Chemical – Wyoming, April 2000
MVS conducted a complete ventilation survey of this extensive room and pillar operation located in the Green River Trona basin.  The data obtained was utilized to provide a reliable working ventilation model for on-site evaluations of ventilation changes.  Future planning studies were also carried out to determine possible means of improving the ventilation system and postponing the development of a ventilation/production shaft.  From 1996 to 2000 MVS personnel have been involved in reviewing the ventilation system design conducted by the mine engineers at the mine.

Harris #1 Mine, Eastern Associated Coal Company – West Virginia, April 2003
In 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2003 MVS conducted ventilation surveys of this large underground coal mine.  Ventilation network models were established and on-site training for mine personnel was conducted.

Lafarge Corp., Sugar Creek – Missouri, September 1997
MVS conducted two studies for this limestone mine, located near Kansas City.  The first study examined the impact that different hoist and shaft configurations had on the main fan duty.  The second study proposed a ventilation scheme for an underground clinker storage site located in the old mine workings.

Shoals Mine, National Gypsum Co. – Indiana, May, 1999
A full mine ventilation survey was conducted for this gypsum mine. A study was conducted using the computer model set up during the ventilation survey to determine areas of inefficiency, which could be further optimized. This mine presented a challenge because of the massive cross-sectional areas of the drifts.

San Juan Mine, BHP Minerals Inc. – New Mexico, January 2000
MVS engineers conducted a ventilation study for this proposed longwall coal mine. This study included analyses to examine alternative ventilation designs to minimize exposure to hydrogen sulfide, which is encountered underground. A plan to control and minimize the likelihood of spontaneous combustion in the mine was also provided.

Skyline No. 1 and 3 Mines, Canyon Fuel Company – Utah, July 2001
MVS has conducted three complete ventilation surveys of the Skyline Mines during the past eight years. Accurate models were established which incorporated the measured resistance to airflow of all main airways, the longwall face, development sections and gob and bleeder system leakage. Future mine models were evaluated and ventilation studies were conducted for system optimization.

SUFCO Mine, Canyon Fuel Company – Utah, May 2002 & March 2006
MVS completed a full survey of this large longwall operation. A ventilation network model was developed for the mine, which detailed the resistance characteristics of the longwall gob. The ventilation network was used to model future development of the SUFCO Mine.

West Elk Mine, Mountain Coal Company – Colorado, on going
A detailed ventilation survey of this two seam coal mine was performed in 1992. With the upper seam reserves exhausted, two slopes and a ventilation raise were driven down-section to provide ventilation for the lower seam development. The network model developed by MVS was used to determine whether the current ventilation infrastructure could support a longwall production face and two development headings simultaneously. In 1996 and 1999 the mine was re-surveyed in order to maintain model integrity.  During 2000 MVS assisted Mountain Coal Company with ventilation design analyses to simulate the sealing and control of large regions of their gob.  Recently the entire mine was surveyed and a new model was created to reflect the current ventilation system.

 

Hard Rock Mines

Çayeli Project, Çayeli Bakir Isletmeleri, A.S.– Turkey, December 2002
MVS conducted a series of ventilation and climatic simulations to determine the ventilation system for this new copper mine.  This study determined the main fan requirements and ventilation controls necessary to ventilate the mine. Additional work was performed on establishing a ventilation system during the initial construction phase.

Cigar Lake Mining Co., Cameco Corp. – Saskatchewan, May 2001
Design studies were conducted for this proposed high-grade uranium mine. The work included computer modeling to determine main fan requirements, shaft studies to determine the maximum allowable air velocities in both shafts and duct simulation analyses to determine size of duct and auxiliary fan specifications.

El Indio & Viento Mines, Compania Minera – Chile, February 1997
MVS conducted a review of the ventilation system for this gold and copper mine.  Recommended improvements to existing ventilation system were provided along with a methodology to enhance future ventilation planning exercises.  A new raise and fan system was incorporated in the El Indio mine based on the ventilation planning studies.

Freeport Indonesia – Indonesia, on going
MVS personnel have conducted two full ventilation surveys of this highly complex metal mine.  The ventilation models were over 800 branches and included multiple ore pass systems.  The model correlated with measured field data to 5%. A series of studies were conducted to investigate the impact of rock induced pressures in the mine ore pass systems and to analyze methods for reducing these pressures.  Detailed training of mine personnel was also performed for this project.  MVS is also involved with reviewing the ventilation system and making recommendations for a new block cave deposit which has been added to the existing mine.

Turquoise Ridge, Getchell Gold Corp – Nevada, August 2005
Training was conducted for Getchell personnel on mine ventilation planning and on the use of the VnetPC mine ventilation simulation program. Underground measurements were conducted at the Turquoise Ridge operation and a computer model was developed on-site. A series of optimization and future design studies were conducted with the help of mine personnel.

Goldhunter Deposit, Lucky Friday Mine – Hecla Mining Co., March 1998
A series of detailed climatic and ventilation simulation studies were conducted for this new deposit located off the existing Lucky Friday Mine. The heat flow study included the in-situ measurement of rock thermal properties and the evaluation of virgin rock temperature and the local temperature gradient.

Kidd Creek Mine, Falconbridge Limited – Canada, December 1997
MVS engineers performed a series of ventilation and air conditioning studies for the proposed deepening project at the Kidd Creek Mine. Included were detailed studies to determine the costs for the ventilation components required for the expansion of this deep mine.

Las Encinas Mine, Hylsa, Cuauhtemoc – Mexico, January 1999
A detailed series of ventilation analyses were conducted for this mine based upon a computer model established by MVS engineers during a ventilation survey. A short course was presented to mine engineers to assist in the design of bi-annual mine ventilation plans.

Midas/Ken Snyder Mine, Sitka Corporation – Nevada, January 2001 & October 2005
MVS personnel conducted a review of the proposed ventilation system for this mine and made recommendations for improving the design. At a later date, MVS was involved in optimizing the auxiliary ventilation system for the initial development of this gold mine.  In 2005 the Midas operation was surveyed again and included a thermal study.  The thermal study included measurements to determine virgin rock temperature and heat gradient of the country rock.

Meikle Mine, Barrick Goldstrike Mines – Nevada, on going
MVS personnel are assisting Barrick with ventilation design studies to link the existing Meikle Mine with proposed adjacent orebodies (Rodeo and Griffin).  This work involves the development of 3-D ventilation networks that are constructed from DXF files exported from VulcanTM (mine planning software).

Nye Mine, Stillwater Mining Co. – Montana, June 1998 & June 2001
MVS, in cooperation with Stillwater personnel, conducted a ventilation study at this unique PGM mine.  A ventilation network model, which incorporated over twenty main fans and booster fans, was developed. A short course was held at the mine following the survey.

Victor Mine, INCO Limited – Ontario, February 1998
MVS conducted full ventilation and cooling design studies for this proposed INCO mine. A report was generated that outlined a proposed ventilation scheme with associated refrigeration demands.

 

Nuclear Waste Facilities and Tunnels

Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP), D.O.E. – New Mexico, on going
The WIPP facility is an underground repository located in New Mexico approximately 2200 ft below surface.  MVS has performed a detailed program of testing and balancing the ventilation system at this facility since 1988.  This involves testing the system in various modes of operation.  The results of this program led to a partial redesign of the system by MVS personnel so the facility could react to various operating conditions.  The effect of natural ventilation pressure on the system was determined.  Components of the ventilation system were re-engineered by MVS to mitigate against any potential problems arising from the effect of natural ventilation pressures.  MVS continues to work at the WIPP facility providing technical services related to the underground ventilation system.  MVS installed a monitoring system at the facility where remote control of main underground regulators was achieved.  Also installed were 15 airflow measurement stations and 8 differential pressure measurement stations.  Modifications to the VnetPC ventilation software package were performed to allow for continuous real time updated ventilation models from the field measurement stations.  MVS also assisted Westinghouse engineers in analyzing options to improve the reliability of the main fan system which resulted in the addition of a third main fan to the ventilation system.  A series of ventilation courses were designed and presented for approximately 75 operators and support personnel at the site.

Yucca Mountain Project (YMP), D.O.E – Nevada, 1984 – 1999
From 1984 to 1991, MVS worked with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas, Inc. in conducting full conceptual designs of the high level nuclear waste repository proposed at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.  During these seven years MVS evaluated the airflow and cooling requirements for alternative layouts at this repository.  Alternative designs included multi-level layouts, single plane layouts and various access drift scenarios.  Also evaluated were scenarios differing the construction method from drill and blast to mechanical (TBM) techniques.  These studies involved detailed modeling procedures to investigate the sites and sizes of main airways and the location and duties of fans, cooling plant and heat exchangers.  Heat flow determinations were made in order to arrive at the heat loads on the ventilation and cooling systems for differing scenarios of waste emplacement and retrieval.  In 1996 MVS engineers conducted a brief review of the duct ventilation system which was used to ventilate the TBM machine in developing the underground test facility.  In 1999 MVS engineers participated in a series of meetings regarding the ventilation of the proposed facility.

Deer Island Outfall Tunnel – Massachusetts, March 2000
MVS was contracted to examine the suitability of two proposed ventilation schemes for this extended tunnel.  The work included the estimation of tunnel recovery rates.

Mining Assisted Oil Petroleum Development, Petrotech Resources, Inc. –  Texas, May 1996
MVS engineers were involved in developing ventilation and monitoring systems for a Mining Assisted Oil Petroleum Development outside Ft. Worth, Texas.  The feasibility and capital cost of ventilating such a facility has been investigated.

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