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Is the COP Ground Control for Western Australian Mining Operations the only ground control management document enforced by law in the world?

  • 1.  Is the COP Ground Control for Western Australian Mining Operations the only ground control management document enforced by law in the world?

    Posted 06-16-2021 12:12 PM
    Ground instability has been historically the main cause of accidents, injuries, and fatalities in the mining industry, especially, in underground operations. In recent years, ground control management has shifted from a reactive approach towards a more risk-based practice. Australia has been one of the countries that have taken the lead on this matter by producing a series of industry guidelines such as the "Industry Guideline for Rockfall Risk Management". However, many of these initiatives have been lead by the industry rather than by government or safety enforcing agencies.
    The government of Western Australia released in 2019 the Code of Practice - Ground Control for Western Australian Mining Operations. This document specifies a series of regulatory expectations for minimizing workforce exposure to hazardous ground movement.
    I would like to know if anybody around here is aware of any other standard such as this that outlines the ground control practices that should be complied with by mining companies to ensure worker's safety around the world?

    Thank you so much for reading this. I would really like to learn from other's experiences.

    Regards,

    Juan.


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    Juan Monsalve M.SC
    Virginia Polytechnic Inst & State University
    Blacksburg VA United States
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