What amount of mining rock explosions, atmospheric heat, cold, and toxic environments can the ROC-DS protect the driver and passenger from?

This is highly dependent on the rocks themselves as they each have different variables. The driver is better protected in the ROC-DS than the ROC thanks to the enclosed cab and, with the positional ability of the mining arm, the ROC-DS allows players to position themselves less in harm's way if required. Plus, being able to do it from further away further mitigates the risk.