Mining Publication: Research Report on Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines

Section 13 of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 ("MINER Act"), PL 109-236, required NIOSH to conduct "research, including field tests, concerning the utility, practicality, survivability, and cost of various refuge alternatives in an underground coal mine environment, including commercially available portable refuge chambers." This report summarizes the findings of such research, focusing on specific information that could inform the regulatory process on refuge alternatives. Further, gaps in knowledge and technology that should be addressed to help realize the full potential of refuge alternatives are also identified.