News
June 2021 - New webpages added for the results of the project
Take a look at our public domain deliverables and training materials.
May 2020 - ROCD coal dust information sheets for young people and children
Downloadable information sheets for young children and teenagers are currently available in English.
March 2020 - ROCDMiner coal dust awarness game launched!
rocdminer now released on Google Play, for Android phones please search "rocdminer" FREE DOWNLOAD suitable for all age ranges. There is a worrying increase in coal dust related lung diseases, aim of the game is to highlight and reinforce the use of dust masks to help address this, created by Camborne Schhol of Mines, University of Exeter.
February 2019 - First ROCD poster downloads become avaliable
ROCD posters are now avaliable to download for general distribution, these posters explain major aspects of the different themes and aims of the ROCD project, we will be making them avaliable in multiple languages, keep checking back to our website to see them:
ROCD poster 1 - Dust characterisation (English) (Spanish) (Chinese) (German) (Slovenian) (Polish)
ROCD poster 2 - Dust monitoring and control system (English) (Spanish) (German) (Slovenian) (Polish)
January 2019 - NPR Investigation of coal dust exposure in USA
An invstigative documentary produced by Frontline PBS/NPR exploring the tragic impact of coal dust exposure to mine workers in America
Frontline Dispach podcast episode
Documentary transcript and film link (film only avaliable in certain regions)
January 2019 - ROCD paper published in the International Journal of Coal Geology
7th – 8th November 2018 Second ROCD project progress meeting in Barcelona, Spain, hosted by Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
7th November 2018
The meeting was welcomed by Dr Teresa Moreno as director of IDAEA. After discussions on follow up issues from our previous meeting, Prof Ben Williamson as project lead presented a progress report on the formal ROCD progress milestones and deliverables. This was followed by updates from each of the work package leaders. Notable milestones include successful completion of all deliverables and milestones for work package 1.
All partners gave updates on their ongoing work, highlights include:
Optimised sampling and analytical flow planning, including changes to improve compatibility and the representative nature of samples, including collection of larger numbers of air pump filter samples.
The dust storage facility is established but needs more consideration to long term storage issues to avoid biological activity altering samples.
Educational outputs and outreach activities were discussed. Two papers and two MSc theses were reported as published in addition to the numerous articles in coal mine industry journals.
The inclusivity surveys completed brought further discussion and ideas for outreach activities. Some ideas being posters and booklets highlighting best practise these are to be produced and translated into many languages for a wide distribution. A dust gaming app was discussed as a popular method to target information at coal mining facilities.
Analytical laboratory work on ROCD coal dust was reviewed. Automated minerals analysis development is at an advanced stage, progressing well with testing stage focusing on quality assurance. Results from the Velenje coal dust PM10 and PM2.5 were presented and discussed. ICP-MS data detailing trace chemistry was considered and the need for sufficient time to process dust into PM10 and PM2.5 was considered to be important for continuation of project success. The first toxicology results from PM10 and PM2.5 were reported, discussions were had on the best possible best method to extract dust from air pump filters.
8th November 2018
A guided tour was given by ROCD group member Pedro Trechera to show the equipment being employed in the project and the boarder equipment within the CSIC laboratories.
8-9th March 2018 First ROCD project progress meeting in Velenje, Slovenia, hosted by Premogovnik Velenje
8th April 2018
The meeting started with a welcome to the ROCD project from Premogovnik Velenje general manager Ludvik Golob, followed by further welcomes and introductions to Premogovnik Velenje by Janez Rošer, Robert Lah and Jerneja Sedlar. New members of the ROCD team were introduced and welcomed to the project by ROCD co-ordinator Dr Ben Williamson.
First session was updates from each of the work package leaders, detailing current progress and plans for upcoming work, which also produced discussions on crucial aspects to the project progression.
Second session was detailed presentations from each of the ROCD partner activities over the first 6 months of the project, which highlighted both achievements made so far and areas where further work is planned in the next phases of the project.
The third session was an opportunity to discuss specific ideas for potential spin-off projects from ROCD, including further coal dust safety projects involving biomedical research and social impacts of mining.
General Comments from the meeting were made by meeting participants and Lucas Janssen, EC representative, made closing remarks. A ROCD meeting evening meal was arranged at a local restaurant, it was enjoyed by all.
9th April 2018
The meeting participants formed two groups one visiting the Coal-mining museum of Slovenia, the other group had a tour of the Velenje coal mine with an opportunity to see the very impressive Lignite mining process. Premogovnik Velenje kindly provided lunch and refreshments throughout the 2 day meeting.
1-3rd Aug 2017 ROCD kick off meeting in Katowice, Poland, hosted by Główny Instytut Górnictwa (GIG)
1st Aug 2017
The day started with a welcome from the General Director of GIG prof. dr hab. inż. Stanisław Prusek and the ROCD co-ordinator Dr Ben Williamson.
Followed by a series of presentations introducing the ROCD project, state of the art coal mining dust prediction, prevention and protection. Project management structure, presentations of work packages and deliverables with discussions of the role and contributions of the different ROCD partners.
2nd Aug 2017
A coal dust explosion was demonstrated when the ROCD group visited experimental mine Barbara at GIG followed afterwards by an opportunity to discuss dust sampling apparatus and filters with PGG personnel. Presentations on project budgets, finance and a six monthly action plan were also made. The day was completed by a visit to the Department of Energy Saving and Air Protection at GIG with a tour of the laboratory facilities.
3rd Aug 2017
A visit to the PGG Murcki-Staszic Mine, Katowice, this allowed the group an opportunity to see the working conditions, operations, use of dust suppression systems and RPE. Coal dust samples, rock dust, and dust mixtures were also collected for testing the dust separation device at CSIC and for initial QEMSCAN method at University of Exeter.