Mining

The mining industry sector

The mining industry (or also extractive industry) is the part of the primary sector that deals with the extraction and transformation of mineral raw materials (solid, fluid, gaseous), energy and non-energy or other geological materials from the earth's crust.

Products addressed to mines and in their surface systems, where firedamp gas can be present must be of Group I.

There are two categories inside Group I, M1 and M2.

Category M1

Includes equipment designed and equipped with special protection devices to operate according to the operative parameters established by the manufacturer and to ensure a very high protection level.

Equipment of this category is addressed to underground works in mines and in their surface plants exposed to the risk of fire-damp gas and/or combustible dusts release.

Equipment of this category must stay operative in explosive atmosphere, even in case of exceptional damage. It is characterised by protection devices such that: 

  • if one of the two protection devices is damaged, at least a second independent one ensures the required protection level;
  • if two damages occur, independent by each other, the required protection level is ensured.

Category M2

Include the equipment designed to operate according to the operative parameters established by the manufacturer and based on high protection level.

Equipment of this category is addressed to underground works in mines and in their surface plants exposed to the risk of fire-damp and/or combustible dusts release.

In potentially explosive atmosphere, the power source of this equipment must stop. 

Protection devices of this category of equipment ensure the required protection level during the normal operation, even in difficult conditions, in particular when stress and continuous environmental changes occur.