The agreement, which will include Strata’s refit services to both its own and MMSS chambers, will bring all of the alternatives into compliance with US Mine Safety and Health Administration CFR 30 Part 7 regulations.

The MMSS units will be rebranded once the company’s Part 7-approved components are installed.

The companies have already obtained the necessary approvals from the state of West Virginia’s Office of Miner Health, Safety and Training for this effort and are now seeking final approval from MSHA to move forward with the MMSS refits.

To date, Strata has received MSHA approvals for breathable air components under approval numbers 07-LCA12001-0, 07-LCA13003, 07-LCA13004, 07-LCA13005 and 07-LCA13006, as well as a harmful gas removal component under 07-LCA130002-0.

Additional approvals are pending.

MMSS’s Shawn Sitterud said that the strength of Georgia-based Strata was in its people.

“The company has built a solid reputation in the mining industry with people of character and integrity, and I am very pleased to be partnering with them. I expect that together we will move forward to strengthen the companies, the product lines and the valued end user.”

“This agreement is a great opportunity for both companies to broaden the overall customer base and provide these customers the benefit of a local western service center through a well-established organization,” Strata vice-president and general manager of refuge alternatives David Maust added.