The Red Lake Mine fire last December is still raising concerns. The historic mine is 110 miles north of Dryden, and about 60 miles from the Manitoba border in north-western Ontario. It has yielded over 29 million ounces of gold since 1949 and still has a rich vein worth exploiting.
Red Lake Mine Fire Raises Concerns about Industrial Setting
Three workers sensed a problem on December 6, 2018 after they visited the 4400 level storage area to fetch tools. After they smelled smoke one of their number went to a refuge area to request management to “stench the mine”.
This emergency measure releases a harmless foul-smelling gas which serves a warning to other miners all is not well. Meanwhile, the other two workers entered the storage area to investigate. They encountered a large area of flame against one wall. They were unable to extinguish the Red Lake Mine fire despite having a pair of 10-pound fire extinguishers.
The Fire Was Fueled by a Stack of Lithium Batteries
The fire was inside a storage bay behind a steel wall. From what the two workers could see a stack of lithium batteries and hand-tool chargers were ablaze. A proto team arrived shortly after they retreated to the refuge station and shut off the power. However, it took two shifts to finally extinguish the last flames.
The cause of the Red Lake Mine Fire stemmed from several lithium batteries left on charge, overheating, and affecting other lithium batteries nearby. This incident once again highlights the risks attached to charging lithium batteries in confined spaces. This is a critical issue because standard dry-chemical ABS extinguishers are ineffective against lithium battery fires.
The Red Lake Mine is investing in more Class-D extinguishers. These kill lithium fires by cutting off the oxygen supply. We published this post to increase awareness of the event, and help prevent a repetition of what could have been a tragic incident.
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Preview Image: Balmertown in Red Lake District
