6.3.1. Government Guidelines

The Mine Rescue Standard (AQ1008-2007) was issued in 2007. The main contents of the Standard are described as follows:

• Mine rescue teams are professional teams dealing with mine accidents, and they must be qualified.

• Mining companies, including those undertaking mine construction and production, should have mines rescue teams. A mines rescue team should be located within 30km driving distance from its serving mines.

• Organisation of mine rescue:

• Each mine rescue team consists of at least two sub-teams.

• Each team has one team leader, two deputy team leaders, one chief engineer, one deputy chief engineer, administrative staff and medical staff.

• Each sub-team consists of at least three small groups, and each group should have at least 9 staff.

• Mines rescue team staff are all contractors, and contracting period is between 3 and 5 years.

• Mines rescue team staff must undertake and pass an annual medical examination.

• Basic apparatus and equipment of mine rescue teams:

• Vehicles: Commanding vehicle, Gas analysing vehicle, 4-5 tonne truck

• Communication apparatus: mobile phone, video communication system, voicegram, interphone

• Fire extinguishing apparatus: Inert gas or inert gas generators, high expansion foam materials, rapid sealing apparatus, pump, etc

• Detection equipment: Gas analysers, thermal imaging device, etc

• Information processing device: fax machine, copier, computers, cameras, video cameras, flood light, etc.

• PPE: self rescuing respirator, automatic resuscitator, etc.

The Standard also details rescue procedures for accidents of fire, explosion of gas and coal dust, outburst, water inrush and roof fall.