According to the manufactuer, the MineARC Refuge Chambers can sustain life for up to 36 hours. Each chamber comes fitted with independent oxygen systems, including oxygen candles, cylinders and specially designed carbon dioxide and monoxide scrubbing units to remove deadly gases.

The chambers are constructed of 5-mm steel plate and wrapped with support ribs for extra reinforcement. They are air-conditioned and include gas monitoring, first aid equipment and stretcher, seating for 20 miners and a specially designed toilet.

MineARC Systems said it is constantly refining the chambers’ design, and recent innovations include an interactive control system which allows remote monitoring of key functions, including comprehensive battery management, gas scrubber control and testing and enhanced communication facilities, including photo imaging to allow monitoring of the entire chamber.

Lundin Mining operates mines in Sweden (Zinkgruvan and Storliden), Ireland (Galmoy) as well as the Neves- Corvo underground copper mine. The Neves-Corvo operation is home to one of the largest and highest grade massive sulphide deposits in the world with mine production in 2006 running at 2.1 million mt.

MineARC Refuge Chambers are now in use in underground mines throughout Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Central Africa, Indonesia, Chile, Canada and the United States.