Mitigating Lightning Hazards in Open Mining Areas: A Mobile Lightning Protection System Approach

Mining areas are critical infrastructures that face high vulnerability to lightning strikes due to their expansive open spaces, tall structures, and the presence of personnel and heavy machinery. Lightning-related incidents in such environments can lead to catastrophic accidents, equipment damage, operational downtime, and even fatalities among personnel. This study presents the implementation of a mobile lightning protection system specifically designed for a mining area in Indonesia, a region characterized by high lightning density. The system incorporates special air terminals, shielded cable, and a centralized monitoring panel. A comprehensive risk assessment and ground flash density analysis were conducted to guide the design and deployment of the system. The performance of the installed protection system can be evaluated using monitoring panel for its effectiveness. The analysis of protected area has been done using Rolling Sphere Method. This research contributes to the development of adaptive and effective lightning protection strategies for critical infrastructure in tropical environments, offering practical guidance for implementation in similar high-risk settings.