The UK Centre for Astrobiology (UKCA) uses its underground astrobiology laboratory at Boulby to carry out its own analogue programme called MINAR which has been running since 2012. The programme focuses on the testing and development of planetary science instrumentation in an active mine with a view to improving links between planetary science and the mining community as well as carrying out planetray science and astrobiology. 

Twp papers have bene published summarising the MINAR activity. MINAR 1 to 3 are summarised here and MINAR 4 and 5 are summarised here.

Jon, John and Emmal were supporting one of their MSc students collect rock and gas samples from the mine. It is hoped these can be correlated with the different evaporite deposits. Other teams were testing rover instrumentation as a part of MINAR utilising the alien environment 1.1 km below North East England.