The duration of the conference has been extended for three days because of the increasing number of high-quality, innovative papers to be presented, said conference chairman Professor Naj Aziz.

“Some of the high-quality international papers include those from overseas delegates attending the conference, including presenters from Czech Republic, Iran, Japan, Turkey, UK , Germany, and the UK,” he said.

Forty-two papers out of a total 50 will be presented on topics covering both surface and underground mining. They include papers on geology, mine planning, general ground control, longwall mining, pillar design, rock mechanics, strata control, information technology, geophysical logging, rock bolting, bolt corrosion, land subsidence, mine ventilation, mine gases, outburst control mine dust and dust control, mine fires, spontaneous combustion, fugitive gas emissions, tunnelling, rock blasting and risk management.

A number of Australians mine operators personnel, consultants, research organisations and academics will show-case their cutting edge research findings in the conference, Aziz said.

“This year there is an special interest on rock bolting and in particular cable bolting, as there is an industry focused interest on the performance of cable bolts particularly under shear,” he said.

“Also of interest is the methodology of determining chemical resin and cementitious grout strength properties evaluation with the objective of establishing a set of guidelines for the Australian coal mining industry.

“There will be a number of ACARP funded project presentations. Also, a number of papers will focus on various aspects of surface mining.”

The conference is sponsored by various leading mining companies, mine services and product suppliers and various research organisations. Opportunities are still available for product exhibitions.

For further information visit www.coalconference.net.au.