MineARC Systems has launched its latest range of refuge chambers specifically developed for the hard rock mining industry.
On display at both MINExpo in Las Vegas and GME in Kalgoorlie, industry response has been encouraging, MineARC general manager Mike Lincoln said.
Building on its predecessor, the Series III, the new HRM Series IV is made for the metalliferous mining industry; featuring the very latest in safe-refuge technology Lincoln added.
“The HRM Series IV builds on the success of the Series III. It’s now even safer, it’s smarter, and it’s easier to maintain and service. We’ve also included a number of structural modifications that make it easier to position onsite,” he said.
Making its mark on the mining industry the MineARC HRM range has already been deployed in over one hundred operations, in forty different countries, across six continents.
System upgrades include the new Series IV CO/CO2 (carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide) scrubbing system and the elimination of ‘free-pour’ chemicals, replaced with easy to load and handle pre-packaged chemical canisters.
“The prepackaged chemical canisters are already widely recognised and accepted within the industry. The popular MineARC HRM-ELVP (extra-low-voltage-portable) range of refuge chambers already uses the canister system,” Lincoln said.
The new refuge chambers have the Intelligent Voice Audio Navigation system (iVAN) built in which acts as an onboard guide, talking occupants through operating procedures and providing alerts when action is required.
“With the HRM Series IV we feel we’ve taken emergency refuge to the next level. The self diagnostic capabilities, the new digital controller interface and the simplicity of the new scrubbing system are key to this,” Lincoln said.
Developed in cooperation with some of the world’s biggest mining companies, the Series IV complies in full with the 2009 Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum Guideline: Refuge Chambers in Metalliferous Mines.
Other features include an advanced digital controller interface with full chamber diagnostics capability, increased scrubbing and air flow capacity, improved structural housing and simpler transport features.
The New Series IV HRM is available in both standard and custom-engineered models in various capacities.