The Relationship Between Spontaneous Combustion Duration And Temperature Rise Of Coal in Stockpile 1, Air Laya Mine, PT Bukit Asam Tbk

Spontaneous combustion in coal stockpiles is a critical hazard in the mining industry. This study investigates the relationship between combustion duration and the increase in coal temperature at Stockpile 1 of the Air Laya Mine operated by PT Bukit Asam Tbk. Experimental simulations were conducted on four types of coal with calorific values of approximately 4,200; 4,900; 5,300; and 7,100 kcal/kg. Each coal type underwent a 6-hour heating process, with temperature data collected at 30-minute intervals using an infrared thermometer. The results reveal a strong linear correlation during the first 90 minutes of combustion. The coal with the lowest calorific value showed the highest and fastest temperature increase, peaking at 725°C, while coal with the highest calorific value peaked at only 544°C. The study concludes that low-rank coal is significantly more reactive and prone to spontaneous ignition, underscoring the importance of tailored management strategies.