The N.S.W. Department of Mineral Resources commissioned its first Mobile Gas Laboratory in 1973.Although originally intended for diesel exhaust analysis, it has been progress- ively made more suitable for mine air analysis._x000D_
Currently there are two upgraded units in operation. These laboratories have been used at the scenes of four mine fires, two mine explosions and three recovery operations. The authors' experience jointly covers all of these incidents._x000D_
In this paper they recount the role of the Mobile Laboratory in each incident - including the difficulties encountered - and trace the development of these units to their present state. Future improvements are foreshadowed, and some comments offered concerning the likely future role of these vehicles in mine Emergencies.