The conference, which will be held at Wollongong University in February, will also address the issue of flooding in mines and will tap into the experience of Queensland-based miners, conference chairman Associate Professor Naj Aziz told ILN.

“I will be asking from those engaged in the initial and continual engagement with Pike River operation,” he said.

“In fact I will be meeting with rescuers next week to discuss with him to organise a special session. There is also some interest from several organisations. This will only occur if the gag is lifted for reporting, which is still in place.”

Aziz said he is strongly encouraging papers from coal mine operations, plus applied and fundamental coal mining research on surface mining, mine flooding and fires and explosions.

Abstract submissions are due by August 26 and acceptances of papers based on abstracts are slated for September 16.

“We would like to hear from someone talking and sharing their recent experience of flooding,” he said.

“In regards to surface mining, there were several reasons for incorporating it with an underground coal operators’ conference.

“Some topics in geomechanics and supports were common to both and some members of the organising committee were working in both surface and underground mining operations.

“We are seeking greater participation and involvement of the engineers, geologists and general operators at the conference to broaden the educational horizon of the students and trainees.”

Aziz said many consultants were engaged in surface mining and underground projects

“The issue of environment overlaps also as there is current emphasis on significant residual gases coming out of surface mines.”

Aziz said Coal 2011 was very successful with 190 attendees.

Papers for Coal 2012 are invited for the following topics: coal geology, heading development, and mining methods – longwall, bord and pillar, top coal caving and hydraulic mining.

Also, equipment, machinery performances or innovations, ground control and strata management, and longwall recovery or roof fall rehabilitation will be featured.

Other topics to be covered include instrumentation and monitoring, rock bolting, cable bolting or other roof support techniques, mine subsidence, mine ventilation, mine gas drainage and outburst control, and risk management.