The air-operated Poo Pod makes bathroom maintenance much easier for underground mines because it does not need to be hauled to the surface for emptying or servicing.

“This completely eliminates the need to bring the Poo Pod to the surface for emptying or servicing as with conventional systems,” Alfabs representative Brad Kebblewhite said.

Kebblewhite said the biological toilet was low maintenance and did not produce any unpleasant odour.

He said the toilet worked by depositing waste directly into the pod’s aerobic treatment process, while only a small amount of completely clean, odour-free sludge needed removal.

“This completely eliminates the task of transferring night soil from latrines to a central disposal point, as is the case with conventional sanitation systems,” he added.

Maintenance for the toilet consists of an on-the-spot operation once every 18 months.

Alfabs Mining Equipment will be at stand R170 during AIMEX.