The federally-approved AMS system, valued at $US50,000, allows operators to monitor mining condition data as well as control and log the information.
RLC will use the device for training classes as well as in its emergency management exercises.
“The AMS is really going to be key in doing mine rescue training here,” mining technology associate professor Dave Colombo said.
“We can now coordinate mine rescue training with a MERD [mine emergency responsiveness development] exercise, which really boosts the overall training package we offer. This particular AMS measures carbon monoxide in the mine, which is a precursor to fire.”
The system provided to the school by Conspec and Pillar utilizes sensors installed in a mine to relay condition data back to a control center computer and sensor.
Conspec Controls president Rob Albinger said the donation was important to the company because it wanted to promote safety for a new generation of miners.
“The AMS system was designed to be as realistic as possible. We hope that this training opportunity will give future miners some real-world experience in a cutting edge environment,” Pillar Innovations’ John McGuire said.
RLC said all of its career programs involve live experiences, and the new AMS will help the miner training program to keep its education environment “as close to the real thing as possible”
Last year, original equipment manufacturer Joy Mining gifted a 40-ton Joy 14CM continuous miner to the school, which has relaunched its miner training degree program in the last couple of years.
The $250,000 refurbished unit is now used to educate students on machine operations and also serves as a tool to instruct on service, repair and function.
Rend Lake, located in the southern Illinois town of Ina, unveiled its new coal mine training center in August 2009, just over one year after breaking ground.
The 20,000-square foot facility features classrooms, office space and operational equipment including shuttle cars and roof bolters. Half the building has been developed for use as a simulated underground coal mine.
“With several mines coming online with permits and located within driving distance from our campus, we feel RLC is a great location at the heart of Illinois coal,” school president Charley Holstein said last year, noting the recent grand opening was the culmination of a process that began with a July 2008 groundbreaking.
The center received funding of $1.7 million from a federal community-based jobs training grant as well as Illinois coal development funds of $1.07 million through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
According to 2008 statistics from the Illinois Coal Association, the state produced a total of 32.4 million tons of coal, of which more than 26.8Mt came from underground operations.
The industry in Illinois employed 3401 mine workers (2986 underground) at 17 mining operations (11 underground) during that time.
