Being held at Cypress Lakes Resort, Hunter Valley, a golf day will precede the conference on November 18.

DAY ONE – Wednesday, November 19

Day one kicks off with an overview of Australian coal mine production, Ken Cram, Project Manager, Coal Services

Chinese case study and research findings will be presented by Prof. Wang Guo Fa, Chief Scientist & Director of Support Technology Department, China Coal Research Institute

RAG’s Emerald mine will be the focus of the international case study, presented by Jim Myers, general manager, RAG Emerald Mine, USA

This will be followed by another international case study on American Eagle Mine by Peter Hendricks, mine manager, Speed Mining, American Eagle Mine (to be confirmed)

Dartbrook’s turnaround will be presented by Dan Clifford, mine manager, Anglo Coal Dartbrook Colliery

Case study on Ulan Coal Mines, presented by Neville McAlary, general manager - Xstrata Underground Operations (West). Xstrata Coal NSW & Kevin Reed, longwall coordinator, Ulan Coal Mines.

Productivity improvements at Newstan, presented by Andrew Myors, general manager, Newstan, Awaba, Myuna, Centennial Coal Company

Minimising longwall relocation disruptions through communication protocol – Case study analysis, by Col Macdonald, principal, Macdonald Mining Services

Maximising longwall production by optimising the coal clearance system, by Edmund O’Donovan, principal, EJ O'Donovan & Associates

Ten things NOT to do with your longwall, Nick Wills, director, NBW Mining

DAY TWO – Thursday, November 20

Overview of the Queensland Xstrata Longwall mines, Ian Cribb, chief operating officer, Xstrata Coal Queensland

CSIRO’s integrated real time risk management project, Greg Rowan, project coordinator, Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies (QCAT) CSIRO Exploration and Mining

Case study and shearer drum technology, Beypazari Mine – Turkey, by Bulent Tiryaki, Assistant Professor, Hacettepe University, Turkey & Visiting Research Fellow, University of Queensland

Top Coal Caving – Improving longwall extraction percentages in China, by Bruce Hebblewhite, Head of School – Mining Engineering, UNSW

Overview of the Queensland Level One 2003 Emergency Exercise overview, David Reece, Senior Inspector, Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines

NSW and Global Emergency Services overview, by Murray Bird, General Manager Mines Rescue NSW

CH4 and Anglo Coal, Dave Mathew, General Manager, CH4

Westcliff Colliery, Gavin Taylor, Mine Manager, BHP Illawarra Westcliff Colliery

Longwall Mining Subsidence Approvals - Focus on environmental and operational risks associated with undermining of rivers and streams, Bob Gallagher, principal consultant (Mining), International Mining Consultants

Thermodynamic Network Simulation and Climate Prediction in Australian Coal Mines, Roy Moreby, Associate Professor of Mining - School Of Mining Engineering, UNSW

Southland, Bernie Lambley, Longwall Coordinator, Southland Colliery

DAY THREE – Friday, November 21

WORKSHOP A

The Strata Control Workshop for Operators will be presented by Nick Wills, Director, NBW Mining.

Nick Wills is widely known in the longwall industry for his interesting workshops. This year he tackles all the things you ever wanted to know about strata control in a practical and accessible manner. Subjects include basic geotechnical theory, roof support design, operating techniques, and other factors affecting strata control. Wills has presented workshops all over the world.

WORKSHOP B

Geological and Geotechnical Issues Management for Longwall Mining, Ian Stone, Director, Palaris Mining

Highly regarded geotechnical consultant, Ian Stone, will take a practical look at the issues facing longwall operators. The range of geological and geotechnical issues covered are backed up with case studies. Issues to be covered include: features that can impact negatively on longwall performance; controlling geological and geotechnical features during longwall extraction; responsibility, decision-making, and technical support; monitoring programs and the use of action/response plans; improvement strategies and reducing geotechnical risk.

WORKSHOP C

Addressing underground ventilation to improve productivity and minimise safety and health incidents, Roy Moreby, Associate Professor of Mining - School Of Mining Engineering, UNSW

Longwall 2003 has joined forces with the Ventiliation Officer’s Society to put together a workshop that is both timely and important for mining management and ventilation personnel to learning how to prevent incidents by discussing issues and possible solutions.

Industry expert Roy Moreby who is the workshop leader, will cover strategies to manage ventilation issues in longwall mines. Focus areas include strategies to improve ventilation, prevent accidents, improve air flow and operator health, new technologies, new theories and a number of case study examples to encourage discussion.