During auger planning, advance planning is intended to prevent hazards affecting which part of underground workings?

• A. Surface only
• B. Active underground workings
• C. Only abandoned sections
• D. Both active and abandoned

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is protecting the parts of the mine where people are actively working underground. When planning an auger operation, you’re looking ahead to prevent any hazards from affecting those active underground workings. If the auger were to intersect or near the active areas, it could create dangerous conditions—such as promoting gas migration, causing ground instability, or triggering water inflow—that pose immediate risk to workers and disrupt ongoing operations.

Surface areas aren’t the focus of this planning in terms of protecting underground work, and while abandoned sections can contain hazards, the main purpose is to keep the active workings safe. Planning to avoid impacting the active underground workings helps maintain ventilation, proper ground control, and safe access, directly protecting the people who are currently underground.