Mine Winds
Mine winds could scarcely be more different to the breezes blowing across the coves and shores of Dorset. Here, under the surface of the earth, the air can no longer be stirred by the ocean’s waves, and must find its own way around the caverns and tunnels of the mineshafts.
Where a more regular breeze might bring freshness and relief from the sun’s heat to the outside world, in the mine winds there is although a kind of freshness, but also a hint of danger.
The air deep underground is often still and thick, and stale. As there are no natural sources of air movement due to the lack of surface winds, there must be some mechanism by which the air is brought back to life. This is where the mine wind comes in to provide the ventilation that the mine needs.
It is often difficult to understand the physics of mine winds. Most often, fans or some sort of pumping system are used to introduce a flow of air into the mine, which then uses the natural topography of the mine passages, combined with the difference in density of the air at different slots, to cause the air to move through the tunnels and chambers of the mine.
The impact of the mine winds can be felt throughout the tunnel systems of the mines. When a strong wind blows through a mine tunnel, the temperature can be noticeably cooler and more comfortable to those labourers working in the depths of the darkness. More importantly, it will supply a fresh supply of air for the miners to breathe in, helping to reduce the saturation of dangerous gases that can otherwise accumulate in the air.
The mine winds can also carry particles of dust and dirt, creating dust clouds and deposits that accumulate along the walls and in the corners of the tunnel. This might seem like a bad thing, but the dust can actually be beneficial. As the dust clouds travel through the mine, they are indicated where pieces of ore or precious stones can be found, by the increased levels of dust and air movement around them.
Mining has long been a dangerous and difficult job, so anything which helps the miners work more safely and efficiently is welcome. The mine wind is just one of these things, an unseen partner which helps to keep the air breathable and the labourers guided and informed.
