What percentage of methane concentration causes a continuous miner to stop?

A continuous miner is an essential piece of equipment used in underground mining operations, particularly in coal mining. The safety of operators and the integrity of the mining process are greatly impacted by the presence of methane gas—a highly flammable substance that can lead to dangerous conditions.

The correct percentage of methane concentration that causes a continuous miner to stop is set at 2%. This threshold is critical because it reflects the point at which methane levels in the mining environment pose a significant risk of explosion or fire. When methane concentrations reach 2%, safety protocols mandate immediate action to prevent accidents, leading to an automatic shutoff of the continuous miner. This procedure is part of a broader safety management system designed to protect workers and maintain safe operational conditions.

Setting the threshold at 2% is grounded in both regulation and industry best practices aimed at minimizing the risk of life-threatening incidents in potentially explosive environments.