What is the purpose of a gas monitoring plan?

• A. To calibrate mining equipment for efficiency.
• B. To monitor rainfall patterns.
• C. To identify gas hazards, set alarm levels, and specify response actions aligned with ventilation and drainage strategies.
• D. To schedule maintenance.

Answer: (C)

Gas monitoring plans are about detecting gas hazards and acting on them to keep workers safe. They specify which gases to watch (like methane and oxygen levels), the alarm thresholds for those readings, and the exact actions to take when thresholds are reached. Those actions are tied to how the mine’s ventilation and drainage are managed, so responses such as increasing ventilation, initiating gas drainage, or evacuating are coordinated with how the mine is ventilated and drained. This ensures readings lead to timely, appropriate controls rather than just measuring gas or performing routine maintenance. The other options miss the core purpose: equipment calibration, rainfall patterns, or general maintenance scheduling aren’t what the plan is designed to define.