Sourced from US technology, the camera was introduced by Simtars to aid mine rescue, providing another tool for gathering data underground without endangering rescuers lives.

Queensland mines minister Stephen Robertson said the camera at the Oaky Creek simulated mine emergency was lowered through a small hole at the surface of the mine to a refuge chamber about 150 metres below the surface.

"In a disaster simulation, with several miners 'trapped' in the refuge chamber, the camera is used to inspect the area remotely, and send video images of the condition of the trapped miners and other important information back to the site management team.

"The camera is then re-lowered into the mine, this time carrying emergency breathing and gas detection equipment to the trapped miners."

The borehole camera can inspect and relay still and digital images from 500 metres underground, measure distance and temperature and collect air samples from the mine.

Simtars John Ninness said although the camera was not classified as intrinsically safe, risk assessment was carried out before lowering the camera underground to assess problems from an IS or flameproof point of view.

Ninness will be traveling to the US in July to develop a mining version of the camera with manufacturer Everest VIT, who traditionally specialise in aircraft inspection equipment. Add on features including microphones and a built-in tube to sample gas will be assessed.

“We don’t want to reinvent the wheel - what I am going to look at in the US is technologies already in existence that we can adapt to suit the mining environment,” said Ninness.

During his time in the US, Ninness will also be involved in further development of Simtars ‘Simbot’ - a robot that can sniff out the underground atmosphere in coal mines after a fire or explosion and send crucial information above ground to safety and rescue personnel.

The robot was borrowed from the US in June for trials to see whether it could be adapted for use in Queensland. Ninness predicted Simbot would be ready for use by October.

The new camera system was named after Greek demigod Hercules and his exploits in the underworld and bringing back the three-headed dog, Cerberus, who guarded the entrance to Hades. While he was in the Underworld, legend has it Hercules also rescued the trapped hero Theseus and brought him back to the surface.