Established in 1999, MineARC Systems is now the global leader in the manufacture and supply of emergency safe-refuge systems to the underground mining, tunnelling, and chemical processing industries.
Emergency refuge forms an integral part of an underground mine, tunnel or chemical operation’s wider Emergency Response Plan (ERP). Fires, explosions, rock-falls, flooding, and the release of smoke and other forms of toxic gas are the types of industrial incidents that can occur, despite the high levels of planning and safety precautions in place. In these types of emergencies, when evacuation is no-longer safe or practical, emergency refuge is designed to provide a safe and secure ‘go-to’ area for personnel to gather and await extraction. MineARC refuges have been successfully used around the world in multiple mine and tunnelling emergencies to save lives.
“MineARC is pushing the limits of safety standards by embracing digital transformation”
All MineARC refuge chambers comply with the highest international industry regulations and guidelines. MineARC is the only refuge chamber manufacturer in the world with an ISO: 9001 quality rating.
MineARC is pushing the limits of safety standards by embracing digital transformation through our product development. This transformation is an integral part of not only improving day-to-day operations but as a way to ensure the health and safety of site personnel.


MineARC Offices
Perth, Western Australia (Head Office)
Dallas, Texas
Johannesburg, South Africa
Santiago, Chile
Beijing, China
Barcelona, Spain
Leon, Mexico
MineARC Team
Australia – 64 North America – 25
China – 1 South America – 12
Africa – 12 Europe – 3
MineARC Manufacturing
Perth, Western Australia
Dallas, Texas
Johannesburg, South Africa
MineARC – A SNAPSHOT
MineARC was established in WA in 1999 by the Whittaker and Ness families; who were asked to develop the first combined CO/CO2 Scrubbing System for Refuge Chambers.
MineARC’s first export model was a Hard Rock Mining Refuge Chamber to a salt mine in Ireland in 2001. Following this, sales began take off as the underground mining industry embrace new levels of safety.
MineARC now produces controlled environment technologies for mining, tunnelling, petrochemical, biotechnology and disaster relief industries; exporting to 62 countries globally.


MineARC Refuge Chambers have been used in multiple real-life emergencies around the world.
MineARC have won various awards, including the WA Telstra Business of the Year Award (2018), West Australian Exporter of the Year (2010, 2012, 2013), the ITA Tunnelling Awards for Safety Initiative of the Year (2013, 2015) and the Australian Mine Prospect Awards for Excellence in Mine Safety (2014).
MineARC are committed to supporting the local economy by increasing manufacturing within Australia. Many of our products are manufactured and assembled in-country and even in-house.
MineARC are currently investing significant time and resources into supporting company growth through Research & Development and diversification. Our team is becoming larger and more skilled, as we position ourselves in the market as innovators in technology and integrated safety solutions.