Testo knows that accurate low-concentration measurement directly impacts compliance, system efficiency, and equipment life.
Monitoring gas emissions is a critical aspect of a mining company’s duty of care to its employees and the community. It’s not a responsibility the industry takes lightly, especially considering the seriousness of what’s at stake. Penalties apply to individuals and businesses who fail to comply with their work, health and safety duties.
Mining operators must comply with state and territory-based Work Health and Safety (WHS) and Mining acts, which enforce the monitoring of airborne contaminants, real-time gas detection systems, and ventilation and gas control plans.
Finding the right monitoring solutions
With all this in mind, Testo industry specialist Nihal Nadeem is fully aware of how important it is for Testo’s mining industry customers to be sure that the monitoring equipment they use is highly accurate and reliable.
Nadeem provides advice to customers about the right instruments to use for their specific applications, as well as guidance on compliance for all the relevant work, health and safety regulations, both state and federal.
Nadeem told Mining that alongside the legal and financial penalties that businesses could face for any infringements in monitoring, it was the health and safety of employees and the community that mattered most.
“Legal action does take place and permit suspensions do happen, but most importantly, businesses have to be sure they are taking care of those that are working in the mines,” Nadeem said.
He said monitoring low concentrations of gases that are difficult to detect instantly, and that can cause long-term health complications, is one of his main areas of expertise, and where Testo lends its support to mine operators.
“This is a key focus area for us, as accurate low-concentration measurement directly impacts compliance, system efficiency, and equipment life.”
“It’s important to know that in underground mining environments low concentrations can turn out to be dangerous or fatal, especially over time.”
How Testo’s devices work
Testo supplies two key portable, handheld products to operators for emissions monitoring: the Testo 340 and 350. They are designed to measure multiple gases simultaneously, and they normally come with electrochemical cells.
These and other Testo instruments will be available for viewing at Testo’s stand at the WA Mining Conference.
The Testo 340 is a compact, portable flue gas analyser ideal for spot checks and routine service. Lightweight and easy to carry, it excels in confined spaces. It measures key gases like oxygen (O2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), which are essential for combustion and safety checks.
The Testo 350 goes a step further, purpose-built for in-depth emissions analysis. Its modular design separates the control unit from the analyser box, so sensitive components remain protected while the smart probe operates directly at the emission source.
“The Testo 340 and 350 are especially suitable for use in mining where gas measurement compliance safety is crucial,” Nadeem said.
They are used to detect harmful gases present in mining environments, such as carbon monoxide, NOX, SO2 oxygen, and ventilation efficiencies as well, ensuring worker safety is always maintained.
“The way it works is the device requires a gas sample through a heated probe. So, the device is connected to a probe, and then the gas sample is drawn into the probe through the sampling line, where the information is captured via the electrochemical technology installed in the device,” Nadeem said.
“The device has an intuitive display with menus to select gases, giving the operator real-time data and access logs as well.
“It also has a data logging capability as well. So, whatever you are capturing in that sample is recorded onto the instrument itself. That data can be exported onto the testing software that comes with both the 340 and 350 devices.”
Nadeem said the devices are mainly used for spot checking, and for the on-site tuning of combustion engines or ventilation systems.
He said the dilution function is another key feature. It can detect and capture data from higher concentrations for selected gases.
At unexpectedly high concentrations (up to 50,000ppm), the automatic dilution of the sensor with fresh air allows measurements even when the engine conditions are not defined, without negatively affecting the service life of the sensor.
Committed to customers and safety
Nadeem said that customers can rest assured that the technical and build quality of Testo products are first class, which translates to reliability, accuracy and usability.
“Our commitment to customers is to provide precise, user-friendly products. But we are not just selling a product. We partner with our customers to give them solutions as well,” he said.
“We work with the customer by going on site and getting an understanding of what device is best suited to an environment. We are very transparent and honest when it comes to educating or providing guidance because we know that safe emissions monitoring can’t be left to chance. It’s something you must be sure about.”
Testo will be exhibiting at booth E115 at the WA Mining Conference and Exhibition to be held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 8–9.
