A fire on mining equipment can affect far more than the cost of repairs. It can put an operator at risk, stop production, disrupt a shift, and create days or weeks of work before a machine returns to service. In the September 2026 issue of International Mining, AFEX’s Jeannette Miller discusses why mine operators should consider those wider consequences when assessing fire risk.
The feature describes AFEX’s work with mining operations to identify potential ignition sources, combustible materials, high-risk areas, and access challenges. It also looks at how site visits and equipment reviews can reveal practical concerns, such as debris accumulation, hydraulic leaks, hose routing, and service access, that may be missed when a fire risk assessment focuses only on whether a suppression system is installed.
Miller emphasizes the people who must respond when something goes wrong. Operators, mechanics, and supervisors need to understand what a fire event could mean for their machine and their shift. That understanding helps connect equipment inspections, maintenance, operator training, and fire protection decisions to the risks crews face in daily work.
Publication Credit:
Feature: “Vigilance and Visibility”
Author: Dan Gleeson
Publication: International Mining, September 2026
AFEX contribution: Jeannette Miller, President of Sales & Marketing at AFEX
Pages: 51-52
For More Information:
Amy Coulter
Marketing Manager
AFEX Fire Suppression Systems
marketing@afexsystems.com
