Mine Rescue and Gas Protection Services

Main tasks of the Headquarters for Mine Rescue and Gas Protection Services include the organisation and execution of mine rescue services. It consists of a central office and staff on call like mine rescue crews, gas protection service-crews and brigades for technical assistance. The degrees of financial support and also workforce contributions from mining corporations to the headquarters are defined by law.

The Headquarters for Mine Rescue and Gas Protection Services

Services provided include organisational and technical tasks going beyond corporate level, with the objective of most efficient preparation in the case of emergency.

Structure of the Mine Rescue and Gas Protection Services

Mine Rescue and Gas Protection Services are divided into a corporate and a generic level.

Corporate Level:

  • Protection duties (emergency plan, instructions for the case of emergency)
  • Preventive measures (e.g. company-based rescue crews)
  • Improvement of self-rescue ability (e.g. oxygen self-rescuers provided for workers)
  • Assignment of trained guides with local expert knowledge
  • Cooperation with local fire brigades and other emergency organisations
  • Operations control in case of emergency is operational manager’s duty

Generic Level:

  • Mutual assistance between corporations
  • Obligation of businesses to provide critical information
  • Obligation of businesses to participate in mine rescue services
  • Support and maintenance of the Headquarters for Mine Rescue Services
  • Operations control in case of emergency is governor’s duty

Emergency Plan

A useful “Guideline To The Emergency Plan” as well as the manual “Successful Crisis Management In Mining” have been prepared by the Headquarters for Mine Rescue and Gas Protection Services and are available on the website of their headquarters.

Phone Numbers for Mine Rescue and Gas Protection Services

The Federal Ministry of Finance has established a phone number directory (PDF, 1 MB), which aims at improving communication in the mine rescue and gas protection services sector.

Businesses covered by the services

  • Underground mines
  • Open pit mines including underground facilities
  • Show mines as tourist attractions and healing galleries
  • Abandoned underground mine locations
  • Deep borehole operations