Fires in mines represent great challenges for the first responders. It can cause losses in human lives, production loss and large costs due to standstill. One of the largest challenges for first responders in case of a fire is the long response routes from ground level to the scene of the fire. Fires in hard rock mines are mainly related to vehicles, machines or equipment and more effective firefighting, adapted to the requirements in the challenging underground mining environment, could prevent fires to spread in and between vehicles. Fewer developed fires will result in lower costs, less risk exposure of mining personnel and first responders and lower risk for goodwill losses.
The FIREM II ­project aims to further develop remote ­controlled firefighting to support the limitation of fire related costs and damages. By addressing the challenges, creating close research – practitioner cooperation and involving the stakeholders in the process, the FIREM II­ project will take remote­ controlled firefighting from prototype to reality. By using on­site vehicles, merge and further develop emerging technologies and methods within the two thematic fields – firefighting and remote control – the response time for firefighting actions will be shortened and mitigation of the consequences improved. The project will deliver standards for remote controlled firefighting, construction equipment­ mounted remote ­controlled firefighting units and training methods for mining personnel and first responders.