Anglo American recently partnered with the Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS) on a $2.3 million commitment to workers across the Australian start in the form of an industry-first: a Shaft Rescue System (SRS) mobile truck-mounted emergency system for underground rescues.

Anglo said it earmarked the funding for the newly commissioned unit and also backed QMRS in its design and engineering of the technology that it said will be critical to mines and miners across Queensland’s mining community.

QMRS Chief Executive Officer David Carey said that, while he hopes there will never be a need to use it, the Shaft Rescue System will form part of the emergency response plan for every underground mine site.

“We’re grateful for Anglo American’s support in delivering it,” Carey added.

“The SRS lowers interchangeable cages into mine shafts to rescue trapped miners and is equipped with a world first intrinsically safe directional Wi-Fi communications system that can be used safely underground. The Wi-Fi enables radio communications from the rescue cage to the surface, captures and shares real-time video and sends data from a gas monitoring system."

The unit will be housed at the QMRS Dysart headquarters in the heart of the Bowen Basin, allowing it to be in close proximity to many mines.

Head of Safety and Health at Anglo American’s Steelmaking Coal Business Marc Kirsten said the company was pleased to support QMRS in delivering the Shaft Rescue System.

“QMRS supports our industry with leading edge emergency response capability and support, and we are pleased to have been able to support them in turn, by providing this vital and potentially life-saving equipment.

“The Shaft Rescue System will improve emergency response capabilities across all underground mines in the Queensland mining industry, and it was important to us to make this investment in industry safety,” Kirsten said.

Source: Australia.angloamerican.com