The Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) has identified the automation of the longwall system as an ideal target for research and development, recently designating this a potential ACARP Landmark Project.

 

This means the project will require substantial funding over several years to make a significant change to the way walls are run.

 

A Longwall Automation Steering Committee (LASC) with significant industry experience has been appointed to drive the project in its initial phase. The main goal of the committee is to conduct a scoping study to ascertain current levels of knowledge and define the scope, benefits, limitations and potential costs of a full-blown project.

 

LASC, chaired by BHP manager underground Guy Mitchell, includes Paul Harrington (MIM Newlands), Tony Singleton (Anglo Coal), Steve Allenby (COAL, Ingwe), Peter Henderson and Jim Sandford (Bulga, Glencore). LASC recently appointed independent consultant Ray Dubois as longwall automation project co-ordinator who will assist the steering committee in developing the proposal.

 

LASC has begun work on the scoping study, holding preliminary discussions with various OEMs in September.

 

On October 2 ILN will publish the first in a series of interviews with these OEMs on their views of longwall automation. Mick Webster of DBT will be the first.