MINE SAFETY
A safe place
There are occasions when a mine rescue mission cannot be conducted immediately , meaning those stranded individuals underground need to get to the nearest safety chamber to avoid injury and await their rescue .
In May , Strata Worldwide released its next generation emergency refuge chamber , the Strata ERCX , a unit intended to provide greater flexibility for custom configurations , which factored in “ many time-learned improvements for occupant safety and comfort ”.
The global launch saw the steel-sided , walk-in refuge chamber become available to the underground mining , tunnelling , chemical and other industries where emergency isolation for workers may be required .
An update on the company ’ s ERC chamber , the ERCX is available in four standard sizes – 8- , 12- , 20- and 26-person – and has select base configurations . It also boasts a comprehensive list of customer preferred options , according to Strata .
“ These options range from structural modifications , such as wheel and hitch packages and airlock entrance compartments , to highly sophisticated communications and remote monitoring systems that include several options for establishing a live connection to the surface ,” the company said .
David Maust , General Manager of Emergency Refuge Chambers – Americas , talked IM through some of the changes from the ERC to the ERCX :
“ This includes improved seating and comfort ; additional space and volume per occupant ; an optional automated oxygen control system to eliminate the need for manual adjustments by occupants ; an improved and highly efficient air conditioning system designed to remove moisture and heat generated by the occupants ; an improved escape hatch and door latching system for easier operation and improved air tightness ; and the addition of a remote monitoring and communication system that will provide rescue teams valuable information during a mine emergency ,” he said .
The ability to customise these chambers will be of the utmost importance to the ERCX gaining traction across the globe .
Maust explains : “ For example , there are Latin American countries that require 48-hour duration chambers ; others 72 hours . The chambers we are manufacturing for Russian coal applications are rated at 96 hours . US coal chambers are mandated to meet a 96-hour duration while the US does not have a chamber mandate for metal / non-metal mines . Thus , US metal / nonmetal chamber durations vary based on the customer requirement .”
Other regional variations the company is equipped to deal with include : n Some regions require a separate air lock with a separating curtain to minimise the chance of contamination , others require a sealed air lock with a purge system capable of flushing any potential contaminants from the chamber ; n Some require a connection of mine-supplied air in addition to the on-board breathable air , others do not ; and n Some applications / regions require a specific blast-rated shell , others have no specific requirement . Maust highlighted his experience dealing with mining clients in Mexico as an example of how changing requirements have influenced the flexible design of this next generation chamber .
“ Originally , chambers sold into Mexico were typically sold as 48-hour duration units ,” he said . “ Today those 48-hour units are being upgraded to 96-hour units and all new chambers are being purchased with a 96-hour duration .
“ Mexico also now requires a more robust shell design as part of their regulations .”
Russia is also considering a changed chamber mandate for those chambers deployed in coal mining operations in the country , according to Maust .
“ Strata is manufacturing both chambers and a SCSR ( self-contained self-rescuer ) Change-Over- Station ( COS ) for deployment in the Russian market ,” he said . “ The Strata COS is a shorter duration , positive pressure chamber equipped with a bank of compressed air bottles that provides a clean , uncontaminated atmosphere for escaping miners to change from a depleted SCSR and don a fresh unit .”
When it comes to the all-important communications and remote monitoring systems on board the chamber , Maust says the company has leveraged its own Strata DigitalBRIDGE and DigitalBRIDGE Plus + systems to ensure operators on surface can keep in contact with those below ground in the chamber .
“ Monitoring and communications systems are becoming an important part of the refuge chamber
Strata ’ s David Maust sees the CSE product line , which includes a range of SCRSs , complementing the new ERCX rescue chamber design ,” he said . “ Previously , a mine may include a traditional mine phone , or depend on handheld radio systems , for any communication systems . Today we offer sophisticated systems that include surface monitoring of : n “ Atmospheric conditions inside the chamber such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels , temperature , humidity ; n “ Contaminants such as carbon monoxide , hydrogen sulphide and other harmful gases ; n “ Live stream video and Voice over Internet Protocol phone systems ; n “ External power and back-up battery system voltages ; n “ Internet and Wi-Fi connections ; and n “ Remote monitoring of the air conditioning system .” Maust added : “ The Strata systems connect the chamber to the mine ’ s existing network or can be used throughout the mine to carry data to the surface . These Strata systems will operate on existing fibre ( using DigitalBRIDGE ) or existing leaky feeder ( using DigitalBRIDGE Plus +) infrastructure .”
Several mines in the US and Brazil have received metal / non-metal versions of the ERCX chamber already , while the coal and COS versions of the ERCX are in the process of being shipped to Russia and Kazakhstan , according to Maust .
“ Many of these chambers have already been deployed and are in service while the balance will be deployed over the next few weeks and months ,” he explained .
And , the release of the ERCX comes at just the right time for Strata Worldwide .
Earlier this year , the firm signed a distribution agreement with Pennsylvania-based CSE Corp for the promotion and distribution of CSE ’ s line of mine safety products , which includes a range of
30 International Mining | OCTOBER 2020