Representatives with items for communication, tracking, gas detection, refuge and others each had the opportunity to share ideas and communicate about the industry with colleagues as well as industry figures and law-makers, including West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin. Below is just a sample of some of the products on display at the event.
Tracking, communication
The largest sector represented at the April event highlighting rescue and prevention was communication and tracking.
TconneX, specialising in the outfitting of various areas of business with RFID technology, brought its Mine Tracking System – a computer program equipped with a user-friendly interface that allows tracking of workers and equipment. DataCollection Platform, as the company calls its program, allows each RFID reader to record the activity of up to eight people or units.
The system, according to TconneX, is effective not only for locating miners in the event of an emergency, but also gives the monitoring individual an overview of the entire operation. It gives the user “complete visibility of real-time mine operations and greatly enhances operational safety”
Another technology put directly in the hands of the rescuer, literally, is RescueVox Ortivox FI, showcased by K&A Rescue Technologies. Originally developed for the firefighting industry, the unit can be used to quickly pinpoint the location of miners underground using analog technology.
A handheld unit equipped with LED strength and directional indicators and powered by battery, the Ortivox FI boasts a wide range of up to 80m and is designed to be easily used by a gloved hand.
For traditional party communication, Comtrol brought its Excell Sound phone system to the event. The paging station unit, which allows up to five users, has a stainless steel casing and is equipped with a transformer-isolated power supply and a DC internal voltage of 48 volts.
According to the company, its ES3665A Indoor and ES3667A Outdoor units have other features useful in an underground environment, including a noise detection sensor, short circuit protection and an LED indicator when the phone is off-hook.
Oxygen
Oxygen, a major concern in any mining accident, was also well represented by not only producers of self-contained self-rescue devices (SCSRs), but also developers of oxygen distribution systems.
OX-GEN, which earlier this year announced the release of its 6-OXSR-01 self-rescuer, showcased the unit on a mannequin model at the exhibition area of WesBanco Arena. The modular generation system meant for emergency use is non-explosive, non-flammable and non-pressurised, according to the company.
The unit, which is stored in a 40-unit cache that can be placed every 50 feet with an operation, can give workers more than two hours of oxygen at a concentration of 99.97%. Undergoing its testing and analysis phase with both the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), OX-GEN said the technology used in the unit is different from others out there, as the rescuer employs instant oxygen production via a chemical reaction with non-toxic chemicals rather than compression.
Essex Cryogenics’ Mass Oxygen Distribution System is an encased unit that carries 75 litres of liquid oxygen for use in an emergency.
Its associated product, the 10-patient Distribution Kit (PDK-10), opens like a briefcase underground and can support up to 10 miners with oxygen delivered via an integrated hose assembly to any oxygen source. Multiple kits can be connected to the MOD-75 with the use of a 200psi hose (100 feet long from the MOD to the splitter, or distributor block, and 20 feet from that point to the distribution kits).
Refuge
MineARC, headquartered in Australia but with other offices across the globe, came to WJU to discuss its MineARC Systems rescue chambers. The company produces the chambers not only for coal mining, but also for hard rock mining and the tunnelling industry.
The MineARC Systems CRM, currently under development by the company, is specifically designed for the coal mining sector and will be available in 12, 15 and 20-man sizes. It may be easily installed in low-seam environments, the company said, because of its telescopic 24-72in adjustable roof and has wheels for movement throughout an operation.
Modern Mine Safety Supply was also in attendance presenting its Mine Refuge Chamber, a unit fully contained and equipped with a CO2 scrubber. The chamber also includes a lighting system, airconditioning system and food/water storage.
Designed to support multiple workers for up to 36-48 hours, the unit is customised, the company said, including capacity and mining height. Modern Mine Safety Supply calls the chamber intrinsically safe and said it has specifically designed the unit for underground coal operations.
Check out the Tuesday edition of International Longwall News for more communication, gas detection, oxygen and fire suppression products displayed at the International Mining Health and Safety Symposium at Wheeling Jesuit University.
