Fire and hot areas have been present on the tailings piles of RAG Aktiengesellschaft for years. In accordance with the requirements of the mining authorities, the fire inspection of the tailings piles by an expert expert is required. The aim of the monitoring measures is to control and monitor the fire or warm areas with regard to their fire development and thus to detect at an early stage a displacement of the known fire or warm areas as well as a spread to the tailings pile surface.

Lot 1: Ruhr area

Fire and hot areas have been present on the tailings piles of RAG Aktiengesellschaft for years. In accordance with the requirements of the mining authorities, the fire inspection of the tailings piles by an expert expert is required. The monitoring consists of the creation of infrared aerial photographs of the entire tailings pile as well as a measurement program in the existing gas and temperature measurement levels. Furthermore, regular inspections with near-surface gas and temperature measurements must be carried out with gas and temperature measuring devices and infrared measuring devices.

It should be noted that some of the monitoring measures to be carried out must be carried out in warm tailings pile areas or areas affected by smoldering fires. The escape of toxic fire gases (especially carbon monoxide (CO) but also hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and gases or dusts containing PAHs) is to be expected. In the past, temperatures of over 750°C and CO concentrations of up to 200,000 ppm (MAK value: 30 ppm) have been measured at comparable measuring levels. Furthermore, there is a risk of water vapor eruptions if liquids are handled improperly in smoldering or burning tailings pile areas. Due to the sudden evaporation of water in contact with hot tailings and the resulting volume expansion, hot tailings can be ejected from the tailings pile body. The work must therefore be carried out in accordance with DGUV Regulation 101-004 (previously BGR 128) "Work in contaminated areas".

Lot 2: Saarland

Fire and hot areas have been present on the tailings piles of RAG Aktiengesellschaft for years. In accordance with the requirements of the mining authorities, the fire inspection of the tailings piles by an expert expert is required. The monitoring consists of the creation of infrared aerial photographs of the entire tailings pile as well as a measurement program in the existing gas and temperature measurement levels. Furthermore, regular inspections with near-surface gas and temperature measurements must be carried out with gas and temperature measuring devices and infrared measuring devices.

It should be noted that some of the monitoring measures to be carried out must be carried out in warm tailings pile areas or areas affected by smoldering fires. The escape of toxic fire gases (especially carbon monoxide (CO) but also hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and gases or dusts containing PAHs) is to be expected. In the past, temperatures of over 750°C and CO concentrations of up to 200,000 ppm (MAK value: 30 ppm) have been measured at comparable measuring levels. Furthermore, there is a risk of water vapor eruptions if liquids are handled improperly in smoldering or burning tailings pile areas. Due to the sudden evaporation of water in contact with hot tailings and the resulting volume expansion, hot tailings can be ejected from the tailings pile body. The work must therefore be carried out in accordance with DGUV Regulation 101-004 (previously BGR 128) "Work in contaminated areas".