The GMRI robot is capable of inspecting hazardous zones of methane and/or coal dust explosion in hard coal mines. The robot enables remote measurements of the concentrations of methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, temperature, and humidity. Cameras enable the robot to observe the state of the excavation. All electronic circuits of the robot, for measurements, control, transmission, and supply, are intrinsically safe. The transmission of data and control commands from/to the operators console are performed via an electric wire. Moreover, the wire enables to transmit intrinsically safe electric energy and is used to charge one of the accumulators. Thanks to that, the robot can operate in an isolated excavation for 3 months. An intrinsically safe pneumatic drive has been applied for setting wheels in motion. The non-commercial robot prototype was tested in a real excavation in an active hard coal mine. The technical solutions have been presented in the paper.

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The article presents the principles of safe cutting of rocks prone to generate igniting methane sparks. A list of methane ignitions and explosions from the sparking of rocks caused by cutting with road header was given. Unusual case of methane ignition in conditions of full technical and technological protection of roadway development is discussed. In conclusions, the importance of an individual approach to geological and mining conditions in the case of the need to cut sparking rocks was emphasized.