Refuge and Rescue Solutions

Well known in the industry is the Australian “Guideline Refuge Chambers in Underground Mining” from the Western Australian government’s Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources. An additional resource is the ”Guidance and Information on the role and design of safe havens in arrangement for escape

from mines“ from the British institution HSE (Health and Safety Executive). Both guidelines are not binding, neither regionally or internationally. Dräger recommends that the specific requirements are defined based on the individual mine’s including an adequate risk assessment.

Refuge chambers are an integral part of a mine’s emergency escape and rescue concepts. They provide a secondary escape solution in case the primary one is blocked. An emergency escape and rescue concept is highly dependent upon the size and composition of the mine as well as the type of resource mined and how that mineral is processed. Additional aspects such as the existing mine plan with the corresponding escape routes and the distribution of manpower and equipment are important factors to consider.

Generally, anywhere with a strong and stable surface could be considered. However, the surroundings should be free of fire loads. Because the chamber design is variable, the chamber’s shape can be adapted to better suit the mine e.g. semi-circular to adapt to a slope. It is rather unlikely that an additional foundation will be needed. The exact positioning of the chamber is defined by the mine’s emergency response plan. Mobile refuge chambers may follow the mine’s heading.

This is related to the characteristics of a mine. A chamber that follows the heading might be a necessity. How the transportation is actually done is related to the chamber’s transport system. Mobile refuge chambers are equipped with either a skid or sleigh-type system and can be moved with help of a wheel loader.

An estimated lifetime of ten years is not unusual with the proper operation of the refuge chamber. Subsystems or -components such as the batteries and compressed air cylinders need to be checked, maintained or exchanged according to the service plan of the chamber and/or local regulations.

The refuge chamber‘s lifetime depends on a variety of factors such as the underground atmosphere/climate, the number of transports, corrosive influences caused by water or salts, as well as the compliance to the manufacturer’s service plan.