MineARC Systems
Testimonials
Newmont Tanimi Operations
The Callie underground mine has over the last eighteen months started to upgrade the underground refuge chambers, after some considerable searching for the correct type of chamber to use in the upgrade. The MineARC refuge chamber system was far in advance of anything else on the market, its design, construction, mobility, scrubber system and costs set it in a league of its own.
The after sales and service have been excellent. The Newmont group, have now adopted the MineARC refuge chambers as the first and only choice, we look forward to continue working with the MineARC group long into the future.
Barry Stephens Senior Production Supervisor
Newmont Tanami operations Callie underground mine
Lionore Australia
In my role as an OH&S Co-ordinator in the mining industry, I have been party to the development and deployment of the MineARC Refuge Chamber. My personal opinion having worked on several sites where they were installed. This system is at the pinicle of currently available models. There are several facets that set the MineARC chamber far ahead of their competitors, namely:
* MineARC liaised comprehensively with industry personnel and encourage input to fully understand our needs
* The system is completely self sufficient, if required
* Easy operation and low maintenance
* Extensive after sales communications and monitoring of product
* No hidden extra costs,
* Continued research and development
* Professional training and information package
This particular aspect of mining safety was, for a long time, consigned to the “too hard” basket. MineARC’s innovative approach, has finally given the mining industry a genuinely safe refuge. The safety and wellbeing of mining personnel is paramount to any operation and having Minearc’s refuge chamber in our underground operations, ensures that we have achieved industry best practise in regard to our Duty of Care.
I would have little doubt that any operation that conducts a comprehensive risk assessment would come to the same conclusion as we did, and not hesitate in opting for the MineARC refuge chamber.
James Donnelly, OH&S Co-ordinator
LionOre Australia, Lake Johnston Operations
Osborne Mines
In April 2002 Osborne Mines purchased a MineARC Refuge Chamber. Osborne purchased the MineArc system for the following reasons.
The MineARC refuge chamber is extremely robust in its design and construction.
The chamber is designed for easy transportation. With ongoing decline development, this allows easy re-establishment of a safe refuge system underground.
Past refuge systems underground at Osborne have consisted of a modified shipping container type configuration. This system did not offer the transportability we required, and the structural integrity of this system could not be guaranteed from the frequent transportation of these containers. As a result a contaminant free environment could not be guaranteed.
The MineARC chamber is simplistic in its operation with easy to follow instructions.
Should Osborne Mines require any refuge chambers in the future, MineARC chambers would be the preferred product for this site.
Trevor Svenson, Mine Engineer
Osborne Mines
St Ives Gold Mine
St Ives Gold Mine
The St Ives Gold Mine has recently installed state of the art refuge chamber facilities in the two fledgling underground operations of Argo Underground and the Leviathan Complex.
Refuge chambers are used in underground mines to provide safe refuge for miners in an emergency – most commonly an underground fire. When the underground atmosphere becomes unsuitable for breathing as a result of elevated levels of fire related gases, the refuge chambers come into play as an essential piece of underground mining equipment.
The refuge chambers have three independent sources of oxygen for breathing purposes as well as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide scrubbing units. An air conditioner is also installed to maintain temperatures at comfortable levels.
Refuge chambers have evolved over the years from very basic models to those which St Ives Gold Mine has recently selected. An exhaustive evaluation exercise was undertaken prior to the acquisition of the units to assess their functional effectiveness.
Underground fires on the St Ives Gold Mine underground operations are thankfully a rare occurrence due to stringent operating standards, however it is reassuring to know that life can be independently preserved inside these refuge chambers for 36 hours despite the outside atmosphere being toxic.
St Ives Gold Mine’s sister operation, Agnew Gold Mine has been closely involved in the development of these chambers with supplier MineARC Systems. MineARC Systems’ Sales and Production Manager, Geoff Whittaker, first commenced working on the refuge chamber development project with Agnew Gold Mine in 1995. Five years of product development has resulted in the model which is now used as a standard for St Ives Gold Mine.
Source: http://minearc.com/testimonials
