The GPS system will help drivers to avoid colliding with other vehicles by alerting drivers as they get closer to another vehicle fitted with the SAFEmine system.

The system can also alert drivers if they are approaching overhead power lines or other stationary items.

The occasional truck or excavator had come into contact with high voltage power lines — something which needed to be prevented — Premier Coal safety and health manager Steve Smith said this week.

The MINEsafe system is similar to that used in light aircraft to detect the other aircraft nearby.

The system would initially tell a driver what kind of other vehicle it was approaching, Mr Smith said.

It would then issue alerts as the other vehicles got closer.

“Collisions are rare,” Mr Smith said. “The issue is if there is a collision it would be serious and could injure people or damage vehicles so this system helps with risk management and gives drivers another tool to avoid incidents.”