Underground Rescue: Equipped for Every Emergency—
Every mine is different and yet they all have one thing in common: if an emergency occurs, the goal is to get everyone to safety quickly. Mining rescue plans depends on a variety of factors including whether the site involves an open-pit mine, above or underground rescue, metal/non-metal mines. The mining rescue equipment and solutions you use will be as unique as your own mine.
South Africa Mines Resuce Services - What is a Proto Man?—
A look into the lives of those who protect others. This video shows how a very special group of people in the South African Mines Rescue team risk their lives on a daily basis to help support and save others. It also demonstrates the training they go through and how they use Draeger breathing apparatus in order to get people out of harm's way. It's what Proto team members do.
Emergency Escape—
Safe escape plan in an emergency
Within the scope of the risk assessment, the specific risks associated with a particular method of mining and the type of resource mined must be analyzed. This assessment forms the basis for the escape and rescue concepts to be used in the mine.
Refuge & Rescue Solutions
On an industrial site and especially in mines, emergency situations can occur suddenly and unexpectedly. When that happens, there’s one main goal: to keep your workers safe until help arrives.
Solutions for escape and rescue concepts in the mining industry
Application and functionality of Dräger Oxy 3000 / 6000
Dräger Mine Refuge Chamber Solutions
7 steps to an optimum emergency escape concept
Know and understand the situation and conditions
- Mining method/mined product
- Geographical location
- Official and corporate regulations (SOPs)
- Number of miners (incl. contractors) per shift
- Length and condition of rescue routes
- Location of escape shafts and fresh-air bases
Take natural hazards into account
- Temperature/humidity
- Water ingress/flooding
- Dust development
- Mine gas/firedamp
Identify activities involving risks
- Fueling/handling of hazardous substances (fluids/transportation)
- Storage of explosives
- Blasting
Account for unexpected incidents
- Ventilation failure
- Gas eruption and leakages
- Sparks/friction
Describe potential hazards/risks
- Mechanical obstacles
- Oxygen deficiency
- Fire
- Explosion
Perform a risk assessment
- List, assess and prioritize hazards/risks
- Check risks
Develop an emergency response plan
- Prepare an emergency plan
- Provide emergency equipment
- Ensure appropriate emergency training
Effective Escape Planning—
Underground - Self-escape or rescue mission?
If a serious incident occurs underground, a decision must be made within minutes of whether self-escape is possible or whether a mines rescue team should be deployed. How is that decision made?
Self-escape in Coal Mines
Self-escape means: Victims of incidents are able to get themselves to safety and back to the surface without any additional help. This is almost always the case when emergency escape distances are short enough to be managed on foot. Keeping in mind that the escape route has to be open. So, when an incident occurs, there is no flooding, collapses or rockfalls blocking the way. Read on to find out more about examples of self-escape underground and the appropriate methods and equipment.
If coal catches fire: it's time to get out – fast!
Depending on the kind of coal being mined and the conditions at the face, a fire can take hold fast, intensify, and burn for a long time. Due to this, self-espace is the usual and best option.
In the following graphics, we show you what self-escape plans look like around the world’s coal mines – and how South Africa handles exceptions.
Sufficient breathable air
When escape routes are long, a switch to compressed air breathers may make sense, but limited air capacity is a drawback. Breathing air cylinders can be quickly and simply replenished at refilling stations like the Dräger ChargeAir.
Emergency Response—
Emergency response and mines rescue
When an alarm goes off, everything runs at top speed: from the search for source of the alarm to the communication with the emergency control center. Safety management must quickly decide what options within the mine emergency plan are viable and, if necessary what escape or rescue measures for effected mine workers should be taken. High levels of knowledge and experience are needed, as well as the optimal provision of reliable safety and rescue equipment.
Deep Mining
Mines change and evolve. They become longer and deeper, more complex. These changes need to taken into account, when engineering new processes but it is also a challenge for mines rescue teams. In case of a mine emergency, they gain an overview of the situation, evaluate potential risks, examine different scenarios and then decide – based on the specific mine emergency response plan – on the optimal rescue mission.
Mines Rescue Vehicle - Dräger MRV 9000
The Dräger MRV 9000 is the answer in an ever-changing mining environment. Innovative and customer driven – this Mine Rescue Vehicle is a unique solution in the field of mines rescue worldwide.
Mine Safety Solutions
Your safety, our solutions - perfectly linked together.
Mine Equipment
We develop mining equipment to produce innovative solutions to meet even the latest demands.
Get in touch with Dräger—
Johannesburg: 2 Ruacana Street, Waterfall Commercial District, (cnr Beatty Street), Buccleuch, 2090
Postal Address: P.O. Box 4676 Rivonia, 2128 Republic of South Africa
Cape Town: Unit 2, 7 on London, 7 London Circle, Brackengate Business Park, Brackenfell, 7561
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3677 Tygervalley 7536
Durban: 17 Thynk Industrial Park Cnr Brickworks and Queen Nandi Drive, Briardene, Durban North, 7561
Postal Address: P.O. Box 40554 Redhill 4071
3rd Floor, EY Tower-Canon House, 60 Rangoon Lane, Cantonments City, Accra - Ghana
Postal Address: P.O Box CT 4412, Cantonments, Accra – Ghana.
Digital Address: GL-045-5249