1. Hard Rock Mine Refuge Chambers
The MineARC MineSAFE Permanent Range
Permanent refuge solutions for underground safety zones, excavations and break/rest areas.

2. Helping safeguard miners in over 40 countries, across six continents, the MineARC MineSAFE series is the world’s most trusted refuge chamber in metal (hard rock) and non-metal mines.
Emergency refuge forms an integral part of an underground mine’s wider Emergency Response Plan (ERP). Fires, explosions, rock-falls, flooding and the release of smoke and other forms of toxic gas are the types of incidents that occur all too frequently, despite the high levels of planning and the safety precautions in place.
In these types of emergencies, when evacuation is no-longer safe or practical, emergency refuge is designed to provide a safe and secure ‘go-to’ area for personnel to gather and await extraction. MineARC Refuges have been successfully used around the world in multiple mine and tunnelling emergencies to save lives.
Refuge chambers should be deployed throughout the mine to create a refuge 'network' accessible to all underground personnel whilst on foot. Depending on the country/region, regulations usually state acceptable 'safe distances' between refuge chambers.

3. Permanent Refuge Safety Solutions
A permanent refuge chamber (as opposed to portable) can often prove to be a more efficient and cost effective solution for an underground mine. In particular, mines that;
Have a large number of personnel underground at any one time,
Have low excavation costs, and
Where the regular movement of personnel underground remains within certain areas.
Permanent refuge chambers therefore often double as break, rest and lunch areas, capable of sheltering upwards of hundreds of personnel at any one time.

4. Q Q
How do you control the build up of CO & CO2 within the refuge shelter?
How do you control the build up of CO & CO2 within the refuge shelter? A A
CO/CO2 Scrubbing System MineARC’s unique scrubbing system maintains
CO/CO2 Scrubbing System MineARC’s unique scrubbing system maintains
CO levels below 25ppm and CO2 levels to less than 1%.
CO levels below 25ppm and CO2 levels to less than 1%.

5. MineARC Scrubbing Systems Standard Scrubbers
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) are expired by the occupants as part of their normal breathing activity. Carbon monoxide can also enter the main chamber via the compressed air intake (if it becomes compromised), and as occupants enter and/or exit the refuge chamber.
CO2 / CO removal is a vital necessity for any refuge chamber, particularly if mine air has failed and/or become compromised. A standard range of scrubbing systems is available to suit all refuge chambers sizes, occupancies and entrapment durations.
SERIES IV SCRUBBER
Standard Scrubbers
Series IV Scrubber
Control unit of an expandable scrubbing network.
Features remote monitoring, air conditioning, i.V.A.N, self-test function, 4-20mA current monitoring.
ELV Scrubber
Standalone system for medium scale environments.
Features low voltage power, remote network monitoring and minimum 36hr UPS run time.
Drone Scrubbers
For use in conjunction with the Series IV Scrubber.
150 cfm or 300 cfm options available.

6. MineARC Series IV Scrubber AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
MARCISORB CO2 & CO CHEMICAL CARTRIDGES
MOTION SENSOR AND USE PORT
CIRCUIT BREAKER
AIR CON REMOTE DOCKING STATION
BATTERY UPS ISOLATION SWITCH
SERIES IV DIGITAL CONTROLLER INTERFACE
DIGITAL GAS MONITOR DOCKING STATION
SCRUBBER FLOW AIR VENT
STORAGE COMPARTMENT

7. Q
How do you prevent the shelter from becoming too hot and humid to support life? A
Cooling and Dehumidifying A cooling system with minimum capacity of 130
watts/person is recommended to mitigate the heat load.

8. Air Conditioning Systems
MineARC
Air Conditioning Systems
Air conditioning is vital to combat the potentially fatal effects of heat stress inside an occupied refuge chamber. A continuous build up of heat is caused by the occupant’s own metabolic activity, scrubbing processes, electrical equipment, and any ambient (external) heat affecting the refuge chamber’s internal temperature.
All MineSAFE Chambers include quality reverse cycle split-system Mitsubishi Air Conditioners to both cool and dehumidify the refuge chamber. The evaporator unit is located inside the refuge chamber, and can be mounted to the Series IV Scrubbing System or remotely. Meanwhile the condenser fan is positioned outside the refuge chamber, mounted on top of the battery backup UPS or remotely.
AIR CONDITIONER
Standard Air Conditioning Units
Mitsubishi Air Conditioning systems are rated from 2.5kW to 8kW capacities depending on the cooling capacity required. For large occupancy permanent shelters, multiple units are used simultaneously (calculations performed by MineARC engineers).

9. Q
How do you ensure that critical systems continue to operate if mains power fails? A
UPS Battery Back Up System MineARC recommends a UPS battery back up
system in case mains power is disrupted.

10. MineARC Battery Back Up Standard Battery Boxes
A secure steel cabinet outside the main refuge chamber houses the refuge chamber’s battery backup UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply). The UPS is a fail safe system that can power the refuge chamber’s internal life support systems for a minimum of 36 hours should mains 'mine' power become cut-off.
MineARC has a standard range of battery boxes to suit all refuge chamber sizes, occupancies and entrapment durations. Battery boxes can also be remotely located up to 100m (300ft) from the actual refuge chamber. Custom dimensions units are also available.
BATTERY BACK UP
Standard Battery Boxes
12 Battery Box
16 Battery Box
20 Battery Box
24 Battery Box
36 Battery Box
44 Battery Box
56 Battery Box

11. Q A What if the primary breathable air source becomes compromised?
Secondary Oxygen Supply MineARC suggests breathing grade O2 cylinders
as a secondary Oxygen supply.

12. Secondary Oxygen Supply
MineARC
Secondary Oxygen Supply
If mine air supply fails, refuge chambers should be fitted with a reliable secondary source of oxygen supply (O2). MineARC Scrubbers operate in conjunction with breathing grade O2 cylinders. To safely and securely house the O2 cylinders, MineARC manufactures two standard configuration cylinder racks.
MineARC’s oxygen candle is a third source of oxygen supply should compressed air and compressed oxygen cylinders fail and/or become exhausted. The oxygen candle is approved for military use on submarines around the world, and provides 2,600L (92ft3) of pure oxygen upon ignition.
Standard Components
10 CYLINDER CAPACITY RACK
Cylinder Rack
6 Cylinder Capacity
Cylinder Rack
10 Cylinder Capacity
Oxygen Candle

13. Q
How do you ensure the shelter is adequately sealed from the outside environment? A
Vent Doors and Airlocks MineARC vent doors and airlocks are installed to
ensure no gases are transferred into the shelter.

14. Single, Right Hinge Bulkhead Door Single, Left Hinge Bulkhead Door
MineARC
Bulkhead Doors
MineARC manufactures a range of bulkhead doors to suit project specifications. All doors are constructed from solid steel plate, with double-locking rotating handles, rubber seals, portal windows, and check valves to ensure a fully sealed environment.
Doors can be configured either with a bulkhead mounting frame (allowing walls to be built around the door), or without a mounting frame, should a door cavity already exist.
BULKHEAD DOOR
Standard Bulkhead Doors
Single, Right Hinge Bulkhead Door
Single, Left Hinge Bulkhead Door
Double Bulkhead Door
Custom Bulkhead Door

15. MineARC Flushing Airlocks Standard Flushing Airlocks
An airlock is designed to act as a secure staging area between the safety of the refuge chamber and the outside environment. The flushing process significantly reduces the threat of contaminants being brought into the refuge chamber on entry.
MineARC offers a fully inclusive airlock or alternatively flushing racks for inclusion in pre-existing airlocks. Both systems provide high speed flushing and are activated via a simple pneumatic push-button system. The fully-flushing airlock can optionally use compressed ‘mine’ air as the primary source of air for flushing. If mine air is lost or becomes contaminated, high pressure compressed air cylinders provide a backup supply for flushing.
Standard Flushing Airlocks
Permanent Airlock
Permanent Airlock with Flushing Rack
Custom Permanent Airlock
Flushing Racks 6 & 10 Cylinder Capacity

16. MineARC Flushing Airlock STROBE LIGHTING & SIREN MINE AIR FILTER PACK
ENTRY/AIRLOCK DOOR
PORTAL WINDOW
REFLECTIVE SIGNAGE
FULLY FLUSHING AIRLOCK
UPS BATTERY BACK UP

17. Q A How do you avoid the risk of compressed airline contamination?
Compressed Air Management System MineARC recommends adequate four-phase
filtration for air entering the refuge chamber.

18. MineARC
CAMS
The MineARC Compressed Air Management System (CAMS) is an improved, dedicated air management unit designed specifically for MineSAFE Permanent Refuge Rooms and Portable Chambers.
Easier installation and faster service time.
Flood protection valve for automatic mine air shut off in the event of water ingress.
Air quality monitoring and shut off valve.
Optimisation of mine air usage, resulting in considerably reduced operational costs.
Security against over pressurisation.
COMPRESSED AIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The new CAMS has an air pressure sensor and a shut off valve allowing it to regulate air flow into the chamber, automatically emitting periodic ‘bursts’ of compressed air into the refuge chamber when the pressure inside drops below 200Pa.
This process optimises efficiency of mine air services and guarantees against over-pressurisation of the refuge chamber. Over a 12 month period this can equate to significant financial savings.

19. MineARC CAMS AIR TOXICITY MONITOR CAMS MANIFOLD SNAP-&-CLIP
FOUR-PHASE FILTRATING:
Water separation
5 Micron Pre-Filter
0.01 Micron Coalescing Filter
0.01 Micron Absorbent Filter
FLOOD PROTECTION

20. Additional Componentry First Aid Kits Digital Gas Monitor
Portal Windows
Fixed Gas Monitor
Pressure Relief Valves
Bench Seats
Storage Cabinets
Carbon Monoxide Safety-Off System
Food and Water
Automated Oxygen Delivery System
Sanitation