MINE RESCUE & SAFETY
The CARBO 60 has already passed underground mine trials in Poland , with DEZEGA announcing back in January that the equipment was tested under conditions of a simulated escape from the Bogdanka mine in Lublin .
Initially , three miners were briefed and trained on technical characteristics , operational rules , donning and wearing procedures of the SCSR . After this , the miners descended underground , donned the SCSRs at the mine face and walked along the route breathing in air supplied by the units .
“ While developing new respiratory protective equipment , it is important to take into consideration the fact that the self-rescuer should not interfere with the miner when performing work , and should be comfortable and ergonomic for daily wear , adapted to working conditions ,” Yuriy Spivak , Business Development Director at DEZEGA , said . “ CARBO 60 is the only SCSR on the market with a fully automatic starter that activates immediately after the apparatus is open . The donning procedure minimises the risks of a possible fall of the apparatus to the ground and the loss of the initial volume of oxygen .”
Safety software collaboration
Dräger Canada and Focus FS recently announced a strategic , multi-year partnership with Ontario Mine Rescue ( OMR ) in the field of mine rescue safety innovation .
Together the pair will deploy the Focus FS Emergency Response software at over 30 operating mine sites across the Canadian province , providing each mine with the next generation of mine rescue technology , they say .
The Focus FS Emergency Response software replaces more traditional methods with digital communication and reporting tools used by rescue teams and surface personnel during active emergencies , training and ongoing improvement , Focus says .
“ This partnership demonstrates everyone ’ s commitment to continuously improving mine rescue safety and emergency preparedness ,” Rob Clark , Managing Director at Dräger Canada , explained . “ By supporting dynamic collaborations , such as this one with Focus FS and OMR , we can continue being mine safety leaders in Ontario and around the world .”
Jeffrey Brown , Focus FS President and CEO , added : “ We ’ re using leading-edge technology to strengthen mine rescue best practices . By vastly improving how critical information is collected and communicated in real time , mine rescue teams can better respond to any incident – ultimately helping to save lives .”
The Focus FS Emergency Response software was developed in partnership with industry , led by OMR . It was introduced at the 2016 International Mines Rescue Competition and is now available for mines across the globe .
Ontario Mine Rescue , a part of Workplace Safety North , has trained and equipped thousands of volunteers who have fought fires , rescued injured personnel and responded professionally to a wide array of incidents .
Ted Hanley , Vice-President with Ontario Mine Rescue , said : “ Our highest priority is the safety of those mine rescue responders we are sending back into the hazardous conditions of a mine emergency . The mine rescue communications platform provided by Focus FS will be used as a critical tool to ensure timely , accurate information is relayed and available to mine rescue teams and mine management – ensuring they make the safest decisions possible in the shortest amount of time .”
AI-backed safety
In August , Strata Worldwide acquired the assets and intellectual property rights to Bright Path AI ( BPAI ) and its artificial intelligence-backed camera solution , developed by Boral Limited and Firetail Pty Ltd .
The acquisition of the BPAI technology and software platform will enable Strata to provide customers with powerful systems that allow operators from several industries – including mining – to improve workplace safety and reporting , it said when the deal was announced .
At the core of the BPAI system is two camera technologies : a fixed vision camera system that monitors people on foot in restricted zones and an in-development mobile digital vision camera system mounted on equipment to alert operators to pending collisions with personnel or other objects . The technology is designed to provide an extra set of eyes to avoid mistakes while at the same time allowing organisations to monitor , benchmark and report overall performance to achieve datadriven improvements , Strata explained .
“ BPAI was initially developed for the construction industry in Australia , but , when we reviewed it , we realised that this was easily adaptable to
The BPAI system being tested any industrial setting ,” Mike Berube , President and CEO of Strata Worldwide , said . “ We ’ re excited to announce this because we see the potential for these technologies to improve safety and operational efficiency in many industrial workplaces across the globe . These state-ofthe-art technologies are ideal additions to our product portfolio .”
Berube later told IM that the in-development mobile camera system will be used as part of a wider collision avoidance offering from Strata , broadening the range of technology the company specialises in .
“ These are artificial intelligence cameras , which are obviously very different from our electromagnetic system ,” he said , referring to the company ’ s HazardAvert ® proximity detection and collision avoidance systems . “ They operate differently in how they detect potential accidents that involve people and mobile equipment on the job site .”
When it comes to the incorporation of the fixed vision camera system that monitors people on foot in restricted zones , Berube reflected on the company now having a more diverse range of safety solutions in the fields it serves .
“ There are many aspects to safety in the workplace and this fixed camera introduces an additional application for us ,” he said . “ Strata has always dedicated its business to developing advanced safety solutions for mines all over the world . Increasing the safety of miners , as well as improving mining efficiency and productivity , have always been the heart of our focus . “ Both of these technologies fully support our mission .” As one of the largest integrated construction materials companies in Australia , Boral said it and its portfolio companies tested the technologies across a range of conditions .
Martin Guenzl , BPAI Manager at Boral , said : “ Our innovative team and tech partners have worked hard to make this technology a reality as part of our broader commitment to zero harm . We ’ re proud of what we have developed and will remain a customer of BPAI .
“ We believe Strata is best placed to take this innovative technology into its next phase and beyond .”
28 International Mining | OCTOBER 2022