MINE RESCUE & SAFETY
exceed operational standards for the mining industry, including:
• FM 5970 and FM 3260;
• ActiveFire listed – AS 5062;
• Industry operational testing, vibration profile and pressure wash resistance;
• In-field customer testing and feedback requirements; and
• Enhanced OEM mining industry standards.
Taking on the AHS challenge
AFEX Fire Suppression Systems is also looking to alleviate fire potential on mining vehicles and has been helping Ferreyros, a premier Caterpillar dealer in Peru, tackle the added challenge of carrying this out on autonomous vehicles.
Autonomous mining presents new challenges: without operators on board, fires need immediate, automatic response systems. Ferreyros, in this case, needed a fire suppression partner capable of delivering advanced technology, reliability and consistent support, AFEX said.
AFEX Fire Suppression Systems provided a tailored solution for Ferreyros customers’ unique needs across both conventional and autonomous mining projects.
“ AFEX systems, featuring state-of-the-art sensors and automatic response technology, are designed to withstand the harsh conditions typical in mining environments,” the company says.“ The systems are installed across a range of machinery, from autonomous trucks to manually operated tractors and drills, ensuring comprehensive protection.”
Reinaldo Alpaca Chavez, Head of Maintenance at Ferreyros, said the solutions AFEX provides offer peace of mind for operators with quick, controlled fire mitigation. In the event of a fire, the AFEX system activates immediately, protecting operators from potential harm and minimising equipment downtime.
At Anglo American’ s Quellaveco project, AFEX systems ensure the safety of valuable autonomous trucks, with the automatic activation feature being invaluable when it comes to noticing or reporting fires, the company says.
Bio-based firefighting gel
The very tools used to combat these fires can unfortunately cause collateral damage, FireRein says.
Traditional firefighting gels, retardents, foams and even fluorine-free foams often contain toxic chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances( PFAS), and heavy metals. These substances pose longterm health risks to firefighting personnel and can cause severe environmental harm. Runoff from these agents can contaminate soil and waterways, leading to fish kills and negatively affecting local ecosystems and wildlife.
FireRein Eco-Gel offers a safer, sustainable alternative, and has proven more effective than competitive products for knocking down fires more quickly and with less water and for preventing re-ignition through the formation of a bio-degradable gel that adheres to the surface, the company claims.
Made from certified 100 % bio-based and food-grade ingredients, Eco-Gel is the world’ s first and only fully bio-based firefighting gel and is certified by both UL and USDA.“ It effectively suppresses and extinguishes fires without introducing harmful toxins into the environment, protecting personnel, preserving natural resources and complying with evolving environmental regulations,” the company says.
Of course, a fire suppressant needs to be highly effective for extinguishing fires, with Eco-Gel able to be used with standard firefighting equipment. It provides a powerful solution for suppressing Class A and Class B hydrocarbon and polar solvent fires, including wildfires, structural and industrial fires such as fuel and tyre fires – ideal for the unique challenges faced in mining operations.
Eco-Gel is equally effective both above and below ground and acts both as a fire