The new division has lunched with rock dusters as well as rock dust bins, refuge shelters and dozer kits.

Specifically, it will offer among its fleet options a newly designed 1,000-pound (about 453-kilogram) electric trickle duster, a 400lb (181kg) electric trickle duster, a pull-behind electric beltline duster, scoop flinger dusters, slurry dusters, portable and stationary rock dust bins, pressure pod dusters, dozer rescue kits and "Bottles Off"-design LifeShelters.

Matrix added that, while mines can purchase ready-made products from it, the company will work closely with the client to ensure their selections are customised as needed.

President David Clardy said the company, which is based in Indiana, wants to provide coal operations with items of high quality, both new and rebuilt, that offers cost savings.

"In this challenging time, mines need to maximise every dollar, and we feel that combining this new product suite with our outstanding service is a good way to support American mining," he said.

"We know that the chances of a widespread explosion can be greatly reduced when rock dust is applied and maintained according to industry standards," equipment division technical sales rep Sam Kinder added.

"That's why quality rock dusters are so critical. We listen closely to our customer's ideas and work to meet their exact needs to best support their employees' safety."

Matrix Design Group is itself an affiliate of mining operator Alliance Resource Partners. It has a US field facility in Lexington, Kentucky, and a South African facility in Johannesburg.