At that stage, although the EMER guideline was developed in full in a paper-based format, the proof of concept software tool development was only in its infancy, according to an interim report on the Australian Coal Industry Research Program (ACARP) project.

The developed proof of concept “mine re-entry assessment system” tool reasonably demonstrates that a fit-for-purpose software tool has the ability to significantly augment the information management and decision making processes during an emergency at a mine, according to the report.

“The Pike River mine was re-entered on the 28th June 2011 for the purposes of building a temporary seal within 300m of the mine’s portal to augment the stabilisation of the mine atmosphere to provide for further re-entry opportunities in the future,” it states.

“The Pike River mine re-entry hazard management plan and associated control procedures established by the New Zealand Mines Rescue Service were heavily based on the process and concepts developed within the QMRS and [New South Wales Mines Rescue Service] EMER guideline and original risk assessment.

“The development of the Pike River mine re-entry HMP occurred concurrently (but separately) with the development of MRAS with both being completed for review in May 2011.

“Due to the strong association between the Pike River mine re-entry HMP, the EMER guideline and MRAS, it was agreed by all parties to use part of the software tool to assist the mine re-entry control team with the information management and decision making processes during the six-day re-entry and temporary seal construction operation.”

Within two weeks of the Pike River mine disaster occurring, all of the project’s researchers – which included the Queensland and NSW mines rescue services – had direct involvement providing advice and assistance for the re-entry and recovery operation.

The aim of the ACARP project was to provide industry with the functional specification for an emergency response information management system, including a prototype, developed and utilised to assist incident management teams with effective information management and critical decision making during an emergency.

The research project was successful in developing an MRAS tool which supported and reflected the risk-based paper guideline.

The tool has been developed in Microsoft Access.

Additional to the development of the MRAS proof of concept software tool, the research team undertook a review of the existing mines rescue control procedures and exclusion zones for the assessment of explosibility risk.

This process included a major risk assessment for “the determination of limits for mines rescue teams operating in a mine with potentially explosive atmospheres” which involved the QMRS, NSWMRS, CMTS, Simtars, MISHC, Queensland and NSW mines inspectorates and industry representatives.

This risk assessment resulted in the development of a risk matrix and trigger action response plan for assessing the explosibility risk to rescuers when entering a mine.

The TARP takes into consideration not only available fuel but oxygen nose point and potential ignition sources.

Additionally, a proof of concept explosibility graph was developed to meet the requirements of the QMRS and NSWMRS EMER guideline.

“Approximately 70% of required relevant information to make an informed risk-based decision during an emergency could be known before an incident occurs (routine information), therefore the identification of, along with the maintenance and accessibility to this relevant routine information can significantly enhance an incident management team’s ability to reach critical decision points in a timelier manner,” the interim report states.