MineArc, which has offices in Australia and the US, said it had been in talks with the China Coal Research Institute (SYCCRI), a research division of the Chinese central government’s Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

Using MineArc’s patented CoalSafe Refuge Chamber model and the MSHA 2009 Final Rule Regulation as a platform for “industry best practice”, a MineArc spokesperson said a CCRI-led consortium was close to introducing changes to regulations, including the compulsory provision of refuge chambers in all licensed underground coal mines.

The spokesperson said the roll-out of the regulations was expected to begin in late 2009.

Last year there were 91,000 mine-related deaths in China, according to official statistics, however the number is likely to be higher due to accidents in small, unlicensed mines.

In February the country suffered one of its worst accidents in the northern province of Shanxi, where an underground coal mine explosion killed 74 workers.

“When an emergency situation occurs you can never be 100 per cent certain of what might occur.

“In hindsight, however, it’s clear that the human cost of tragedies like Shanxi would likely be far lower if those miners trapped underground had access to adequate safe refuge, with prolonged breathable atmospheres and artificial cooling, as is provided in MineArc chambers,” MineArc general manager Mike Lincoln said.

MineArc managing director Geoff Whittaker said the Chinese central government was demonstrating a clear commitment to bringing industry safety standards up to the level of “developed producers”.

“Despite the current safety record, in terms of refuge regulations in place, China will soon be ahead of arguably more developed producers, such as South Africa, Latin America and even Australia,” Whittaker said.

MineArc said it was finalising the company’s involvement in the regulatory process, having already signed an exclusive Chinese distributor agreement with CCRI with the aim of establishing a full joint venture agreement next year.