Air-quality measurements in a deep underground mine are a critical issue. The cost of ventilation, as well as the geometry of the considered mine, make this process very difficult, and local air quality may be a danger to miners. Thus, portable, personal devices are required to inform miners about gas hazards. There are available tools for that purpose; however, they do not allow the storage of data collected during a shift. Moreover, they do not allow the basic analysis of the acquired data cost-effectively. This paper aims to present a system using low-cost gas sensors and microcontrollers, and takes advantage of commonly used smartphones as a computing and visualization resource. Finally, we demonstrate monitoring system results from a test in an underground mine located in Poland.

In this paper, we present the problem of gas and dolomite outbursts in copper mines. The energy balance of the phenomenon is analyzed. An examination of the porosity of the dolomites is performed; in addition, the content and pressure of the gas accumulated in the pore structure of the rock are determined. The gas energy accumulated in the pore space of rocks is determined depending on the transformation occurring during gas decompression. The work needed to crush the rock for the grain distribution characteristic of post-outburst masses is examined. The gas energy needed to transport rocks is analyzed. The purpose of the research is to determine the limit values of parameters describing the gas and rock system for which there is a risk of dolomite and rock explosions. For the characteristic porosity of dolomites of −5%, gas and rock outbursts at 5 MPa pressure in isothermal transformation can be expected, and if the transformation is closer to adiabatic transformation, outbursts can be expected at 10 MPa pressure.

The exploitation of natural resources is associated with many natural hazards. Currently, the copper ore deposits exploited in Polish mines are located at a depth of about 1200 m below the surface. The primary temperature of the rocks in the exploited areas reaches 48 ${}^{\circ }$C, which constitutes a major source of heat flux to the mine air. However, another important source of heat is the machine plant, which mainly consists of machines powered by diesel engines. Following the results of in situ measurements, boundary conditions for a simulation were determined and a geometric model of the cabin was created. Furthermore, an average human model was created, whose radiative heat transfer was included in the analysis. Three cases were studied: the first covering the current state of thermal conditions, based on the measurement results, and two cases of forecast conditions. In the second case, the temperature of the conditioned air was determined, and in the third, the flow velocity required to ensure thermal comfort was found. The results of the simulation indicated that for the microclimatic conditions established based on the measurements (ambient air temperature in the excavation 35.0 ${}^{\circ }$C, air-conditioned airflow 2.4 × 10${}^{-2}$ m${}^3$/s, and temperature 10.0 ${}^{\circ }$C), the temperature of the air inside the air-conditioned operator’s cabin would be 20.4 ${}^{\circ }$C. Based on the personal mean vote (PMV) index, it was concluded that the thermal sensation would range from neutral to slightly cool, which confirmed the legitimacy of the actions taken to reduce the adverse impact of the microclimatic conditions on workers in the workplace. However, for the case of predicted conditions of enhanced heat flux from strata and machinery, resulting in an average ambient temperature increased to 38.0 ${}^{\circ }$C, it would be necessary to lower the temperature of air from the air conditioner to 8.00 ${}^{\circ }$C or increase the flow rate to 3.14 × 10${}^{-2}$ m${}^3$/s to maintain thermal comfort at the same level of PMV index.

Natural radioactivity in underground locations is the main parameter for the safety of work (occupational hazards) and for the success of experiments in physics or biology requiring unique conditions. The characterization of natural prominence was carried out in the Conceptual Lab development in one of KGHM deep copper mines co-ordinated by KGHM Cuprum R&D. Natural radioactivity studies were performed and included in situ gamma spectrometry, neutron flux measurements, radon concentration, and alpha and gamma laboratory spectrometry measurements of rock samples. At a depth of 1014.4 m (2941.8 m w.e.) within the anhydrite layer, a neutron flux of 2.0 ± 0.2 × 10⁻⁶ cm⁻² s⁻¹, a gamma-ray dose of 0.008 ± 0.001 μSv/h, a photon flux density of 0.64 ± 0.20 cm⁻² s⁻¹, and a radon concentration of 6.6 Bq/m³ were determined. Laboratory analyses of ^226,228Ra, ⁴⁰K, and ^238,234U concentrations in collected rock samples showed low values. The exceptionally low level of natural radioactivity in the Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine makes this location a unique place for scientific research.

At the moment, climatic conditions are a primary problem of the exploitation of copper ore. The efficiency of preventive actions in order to improve climatic conditions is connected with the knowledge of changing air in underground excavations. This article demonstrates the analysis of types of ventilation dams that are used in sealing abandoned areas on the maintenance of climatic working conditions in excavations has been conducted at the exploitation in Polish copper ore mines.

Future operations at the Polish copper mine KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. will be associated with mining at ever greater depths, resulting in increased aerological threats to human health and safety, such as increased mine air temperature. The Polkowice-Sieroszowice Mine is the only mine in Poland where mining is carried out at two levels: the copper ore deposit and a higher level salt deposit. This mine represents an opportunity to install and test a two-level ventilation system. To minimize the adverse influence of environmental hazards on underground workers, technologically advanced measures are currently being introduced, including central and individual air-conditioning systems. On the basis of the current and anticipated ventilation methods for selected ore deposits, this article presents a numerical analysis using AutoWENT software of a number of ventilation solutions that will enable planned mining of copper ore deposits while minimizing the impact of natural aerological hazards in working areas (e.g., thermal, gas, and geodynamic).