During 1997 two different types of coal mine inertisation equipment were trialed in separate underground coal mines in
Queensland.
In April 1997 tests of the Polish developed GAG-3A inert gas generator were carried out at the Collinsville No 2 Coal
Mine. These demonstrations indicated that the GAG-3A device was applicable in underground coal mines and that with
respect to inertisation rate the device outperformed all other currently available techniques. The unit was assembled
rapidly and operated safely during surface and underground trials and no mechanical problems were encountered with the
device. The GAG-3A is not suitable for every fire scenario particularly if large volumes of fresh air are being drawn into
the mine(where multiple units may be required), but with respect to the selection criteria developed by the Moura
Implementation Process Task Group 5 criteria, the unit performed up to the specifications required.