Welcome to the May 2023 edition of CORESafety TV — the online video program from the National Mining Association. 

Here’s some exciting news from a research team that has been working to develop a permissibly safe drone for coal mines – they have finally solved their main design problems and have managed to achieve flight with their prototype drone. 

For the last two years, we’ve been telling you about two of the researchers from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. 

Dr. Pedram Roghanchi, Dr. Mostafa Hassanalian and their team have been working to develop a drone that will fly safely in coal mines and will meet MSHA approval. 

David Wetz from the University of Texas at Arlington has also played a significant role in the project, along with the Spencer Composites Corporation in Sacramento, California. 

CORESafety TV’s Nelson Duffle has a fresh update on the story, including new interviews with Dr. Roghanchi and Dr. Hassanalian.

To learn even more about the drone research being conducted by Dr. Roghanchi and Dr. Hassanalian, watch their previous CORESafety TV interviews that appeared in June 2021 and September 2022. You can find the links below.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

CORESafety TV (May 2023) – Researchers achieve drone flight.
CORESafety TV (Sept. 2022) – Drone team making progress.
CORESafety TV (June 2021) – Making a safe drone for mines.
CORESafety website – go here.