A new, permanent refuge chamber for Colorado School of Mines’ Edgar Experimental Mine is the latest in mine safety rescue technology and training.
The MineARC Refuge Chamber is capable of sustaining as many as 20 people for 36 hours in relative comfort while waiting for rescue if access to the surface is prohibited. It includes air filtration systems, climate control, food and water, and oxygen as well as medical supplies and communications equipment.
The chamber, supplied by MineARC, Inc., was installed and tested last December. Student and Harrison Western co-crews completed underground construction.
“The new refuge chamber is state-of-the art in refuge chamber technology, and will be used to train both students and industry personnel in keeping trapped miners alive in an underground environment,” said Bob Ferriter, mine safety and health program coordinator.
About the Edgar Experimental Mine:
The Edgar Mine is a footnote to Colorado’s rich mining history. In the 1870s, it produced high-grade silver, gold, lead and copper. Today, as an underground laboratory for future engineers, it produces valuable experience for those who are being trained to find, develop and process the world’s natural resources. In this underground laboratory, Mines students gain hands-on experience in underground mine surveying, geological mapping, rock fragmentation and blasting, mine ventilation field studies, rock mechanics instrumentation practice, underground mine unit operations and mine safety.
