One of the challenges in the coal mining industry is self-heating of coal as this can become a problem during mining operations, stockpiling and transportation. This study reviews the mechanism of self-heating, areas of spontaneous combustion, various factors influencing self-heating and different experimental studies to predict its occurrence. The technical control measures applied to minimise self-heating with special consideration to South African coals are also discussed. The distribution and association of unknown materials accelerating spontaneous combustion at different bands within the seam is yet to be studied. A site evaluation of the effects of these parameters is underway.

煤炭开采业的挑战之一是煤炭的自热，因为这在采矿作业，储存和运输过程中可能会成为一个问题。这项研究回顾了自热的机理，自燃的区域，影响自热的各种因素以及预测其发生的不同实验研究。还讨论了为最大限度地减少自热而特别考虑对南非煤炭采取的技术控制措施。未知材料在煤层内不同波段加速自燃的分布和结合尚待研究。这些参数的影响的现场评估正在进行中。