In one of the closest competitions ever, Crinum Mine recently took out top honours in the 2007 Peter Dent Simtars Gas Chromatographer of the Year Competition.
Crinum’s Dave Boyd, Bob Wills and Craig Simpson took part in the fiercely contested competition open to all underground coal mines using Simtars’ Computer Assisted Mine Gas Analysis System [Camgas].
Crinum’s Ventilation Officer, Dave Boyd, explained that the Camgas system provides underground coal mines with a complete gas chromatography (GC) system.
Gas chromatographs are used to analyse the gases in an underground coal mine so we can ensure the levels are safe for employees,” Dave said.
In an emergency situation, many decisions, including those relating to the safety of people underground or attempting an underground rescue, are based on the results from GC analysis.
“The competition aimed to test our analytical knowledge and skills through a written test as well as a practical test that involved analysing nine gas samples prepared by Simtars,” Dave said.
Crinum scored top marks for their knowledge of mine gas analysis, maintenance and troubleshooting.
They also excelled in analysing the nine gas samples prepared by Simtars to test the analytical capabilities of the equipment and operators.
Crinum took out the title ahead of defending title holder North Goonyella in a very close competition.
A special mention must also go to Broadmeadow who were only nudged out of second place by one per cent.
This article was first published in BMAG (Issue 35, May/June 2008) - a bi-monthly publication published by the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance.