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Science
24 February 2025

New Model Enhances Emergency Rescue Capabilities For Coal Mine Floods

Innovative evaluation approach promises to improve mining safety amid rising risks from water penetration accidents.

A new evaluation model for emergency rescue capabilities during coal mine water penetration accidents aims to improve response effectiveness and accuracy. Developed by researchers applying advanced weighting techniques and the marine predator algorithm (MPA) for optimization, the model focuses on enhancing mining safety.

Coal mine water penetration accidents are significant risks threatening the safety of miners. These disasters occur when water from geological formations unexpectedly floods mine roadways, creating urgent rescue scenarios. Between 2011 and 2021, over 100 such accidents were recorded, resulting in 584 fatalities. Understanding the emergency rescue capability of coal mines is imperative for formulating effective prevention and response strategies.

The new model employs subjective and objective evaluation metrics, constructed through the best worst method (BWM) and the improved criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) method. Substantial attention was paid to four primary indicators: emergency rescue prevention capability, preparation capability, response capability, and rehabilitation recovery capability, each explored through sixteen secondary indicators. This comprehensive evaluation system ensures various aspects of emergency capability are assessed with precision.

From developing the evaluation index system to synthesizing both subjective and objective weights, researchers constructed the MPA-BPNN evaluation model, integrating machine learning applications. This innovative approach symbolizes the intersection of traditional evaluation methodologies with modern computational arts, yielding more reliable results compared to earlier methods.

On application to a coal mine case study located in Shanxi province, the MPA-BPNN model demonstrated superior accuracy. It significantly reduced the mean absolute error rates by 6.5%, 4.3%, and 3.5% against BPNN, GA-BPNN, and PSO-BPNN models respectively. The reliability of the new framework is evident, with its performance underscoring the urgent necessity for enhanced emergency preparedness within mining operations.

"The intensity of emergency rescue capacity determines the effectiveness of rescue," one study author noted, emphasizing the model's potential to inform timely improvements and reduce risk to miners. The MPA-BPNN evaluation model functions as not only a diagnostic tool but as part of dedicated efforts to strengthen emergency protocols, enabling mining operators to conduct periodic assessments of their rescue capabilities.

The study's innovative integration of MPA, combined with machine learning, shows great promise for future enhancements on emergency response effectiveness. It marks significant progress for safety measures within China's mining sector, aiming to minimize the devastating impact of water penetration accidents. Enhancing the efficiency of emergency rescue operations ensures juniors can be saved more quickly, optimizing the coordination and response abilities of rescue teams.

By engaging experts from the field consistently, the authors gather insight and perspectives necessary to adapt and refine mining operations' emergency protocols. Achieving results through collaborations and progressive methodologies exemplifies their commitment to safeguarding human life and property.

Regular evaluation and improvement measures include formulating detailed emergency plans, investing more resources in advanced rescue equipment, strengthening rescue team structures, and establishing comprehensive geological monitoring programs. The authors stress the importance of preparedness and training to achieve optimal rescue outcomes and re-establish safe mining operations swiftly after incidents.

Such innovations not only exemplify new research strides but also project aggressive strategies aimed at fundamentally changing safety dynamics within the coal mining industry—always placing miners' safety at the forefront of operations.

The MPA-BPNN model stands ready for wider implementation across the coal mining sector, heralding significant strides toward securing safer working conditions amid persistent challenges posed by water penetration disasters. Through adaptive technologies and advanced methodologies, stakeholders can work collectively to forge safer paths for the coal industry, minimizing tragedies through enhanced preparedness and responsive strategies.