Metal Tech News - The Elements of Innovation Discovered

Despite being home to one of the safest mining sectors in the world, Ontario is always looking for innovative ideas "to ensure that those who work in Ontario's mines come home healthy and safe at the end of every shift." Toward this goal, Ontario Mine Rescue has entered into a multi-year partnership with Dräger Canada and Focus FS to deploy next-generation mine rescue technology to more than 30 mines in the province.

"This partnership demonstrates everyone's commitment to continuously improving mine rescue safety and emergency preparedness," said Rob Clark, managing director at Dräger Canada. "By supporting dynamic collaborations such as this one with Focus FS and OMR, we can continue being mine safety leaders in Ontario and around the world."

A comprehensive, multi-year study commissioned by the provincial government found that "Ontario's mining sector is one of the safest in the world," but "there are always opportunities for improvement."

The past and future success of this mine safety record rests largely on Ontario Mine Rescue, which has been providing mine safety training and emergency response in the province for nearly 100 years.

A report detailing the Ontario mine safety study, published earlier this year, found that underground mining and mine rescue is one area where continued diligence would be beneficial.

"Ontario Mine Rescue is a strong system that is well respected for its effectiveness," according to the report. "However, new mining technologies and processes, combined with the trend towards deeper, expanded and more remote mines, are creating challenges for emergency response and mine rescue systems."

To help ensure Ontario Mine Rescue has the tools to keep pace with these changes, the Focus FS Emergency Response software provides modern digital communication and reporting tools used by rescue teams and surface personnel during active emergencies, training, and ongoing improvement.

"We're using leading-edge technology to strengthen mine rescue best practices," said Focus FS President and CEO Jeffrey Brown. "By vastly improving how critical information is collected and communicated in real-time, mine rescue teams can better respond to any incident – ultimately helping to save lives."

Ontario Mine Rescue helped to facilitate a partnership with the mining industry during the development of the digital mine emergency response platform now being provided by Focus FS and Dräger Canada.

"Our highest priority is the safety of those mine rescue responders we are sending back into the hazardous conditions of a mine emergency," said Ontario Mine Rescue Vice President Ted Hanley. "The mine rescue communications platform provided by Focus FS will be used as a critical tool to ensure timely, accurate information is relayed and available to mine rescue teams and mine management – ensuring they make the safest decisions possible in the shortest amount of time."

Focus FS Emergency Response software was introduced at the 2016 International Mines Rescue Competition and is now available for mines across the globe.