Lindsay started his mining career at the tender age of 16 as an apprentice mechanical tradesman at the Wyee State mine. He then moved to Emerald with his young family in 1992 to work at the Gordonstone mine as an underground fitter before joining Australian Longwall as a service engineer then control systems engineer.

Joy Mining Machinery then snapped Lindsay up as a control systems engineer where he corrected design problems, provided machine problem solving services, completed international and regional assignments to commission new machines, helped in problem solving and training customers to operate and maintain equipment. He was also responsible for supervising service engineers and contractors on longwall mini-builds, retrofits and installation underground.

Next Lindsay moved to Longwall Advantage where he is managing director. Longwall Advantage provides longwall operational training, engineering assistance, software specifications for longwall operation and performance guarantee testing.

ILN:What is your earliest mining memory?

LA: A friend of my fathers (Glenn Deaves) organised a visit to Munmorah State Mine when I was 15 years old to see if I liked underground work. I remember sitting on the Lee Norse Miner in a pillar panel and operating the controls, the machine was jumping around and the air was thick with dust – I thought it was fantastic.

ILN: What made you choose mining as a career?

LA: My parents advised me to get a trade behind me. I was offered two jobs after leaving High School and chose mining for the $20 a week more than the power station. I was only 16 years old so $20 was big bucks. I suppose I have a bit of mining blood in my veins as well as my great-grandfather was shipped out from Ashington Colliery in England to help sink the shaft at Hebburn #1 Colliery at Weston.

ILN: What was your favourite job in a coal mine?

LA: Driving the shearer on doggie while the Feds were having their crib and driving the Baldwin Locos in the Great Northern Seam at Wyee State Mine.

ILN: What was your least favourite job?

LA: Belts – as the longwall fitter we looked after our section belt, I hated clipping belts and emptying the loop take-up.

ILN: Who, or what, has most influenced your mining career?

LA: I have had the pleasure of working with a great deal of exceptional men in my working life. One person who has been a major influence in my career would be John Henry, a Control Systems expert (Gullick-Dobson, Longwall International, Joy). John brought a true passion to his field of work, he taught me that attitude towards the task ahead is important and that through detailed observation – most problems can be solved.

ILN: What do you consider your best mining achievement?

LA: Improving coal production by fixing software and hardware issues whilst working for Australian Longwall.

ILN: What do you see as being the greatest mining development during your career?

LA: Logical, structured approach to risk management.

ILN: Do you hold any mining records?

LA: At Wyee State Mine we used to compete for the most shears per shift. I can’t remember who got the most, but I suspect it was our crew.

ILN: Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?

LA: Further travel around Australia and beyond.

ILN: What was your most embarrassing moment in a coal mine?

LA: Sending three good relay bars out through the BSL and onto the belt. I thought they were the ones we had already replaced.

ILN: What was your scariest time in a coal mine?

LA: Working on the wall in bad roof conditions at North Goonyella – when moving supports you could actually hear the rocks coming from miles away.

ILN: What is your worst memory of coal mining?

LA: Listening to the Moura disaster unfolding.

ILN: Do you think that the day of the fully automated remotely operated face is near?

LA: No, the system is only as good as the weakest link. I am yet to see any major improvements in the small but vital components.

ILN: What major improvements would you like to see on longwall operations?

LA: Set a minimum lighting standard.