MineARC recently released two new refuge models aimed at the coal mining industry in Australia/NZ, the new CoalSAFE refuge chamber and the Change-Over-Station (COS) at AIMEX 2011 in Sydney, NSW.

Targeted directly at the Australian and New Zealand coal industry, the MineARC COS is designed to facilitate self-escape from the mine during an emergency. Stocked with up to 40 self rescuers (SCSRs) and a CABA quick-fill-station, the COS’s ‘walk-through’ layout aids miners and other personnel in stepping out of the mine, and out of harms way.

In some emergency situations however, personnel are simply unable to exit the mine. Explosions, rock-falls, fires, the release of smoke and other forms of toxic gas (e.g. methane) – all of which can cause escape routes to become blocked, as well cause injury and/or leave personnel simply overwhelmed. In these sorts of situations the CoalSAFE refuge chamber is designed to provide a safe and secure ‘go-to’ area for personnel to gather and await extraction – providing safe refuge for up to 96hrs standalone.

The CoalSAFE is the only refuge chamber in the world able to provide intrinsically safe scrubbing (CO/CO2) and cooling – both are vital to the ongoing life support.

Held only once every four years, AIMEX is the event for mining industry buyers and specifiers from throughout the Asia-Pacific region to source new products, technologies and services from new and existing Australian and international suppliers. AIMEX also provides trade visitors with a valuable opportunity to obtain vital technical information and network with industry colleagues in an interactive business environment

General Manager, Mike Lincoln said “AIMEX is the place to be and be seen in the Asia-Pacific region. We enjoyed a fantastic response and would like to thank all those who visited us and expressed interest in our products and services during the week. We made some great contacts and connections and we’ll be following up with a number of people soon.”