1. On your $100 million dollar longwall complex, which produces up to 3500 tonnes of high-quality coking coal per hour, who provides training for the following operational subjects, and what facility is there for refresher training?

• Control and monitoring of AFC migration
• Prevention of major roof falls
• Operation of the longwall in difficult roof conditions
• Face alignment techniques
• Best practice for horizon control and remedial techniques
• The relationship between support pressures and roof conditions

2. Have you ever had your maingate AFC drive stuck in the rib?

a. Yes

b. No

3. Do you know why?

a. Poor management

b. Those idiots in development

c. Lack of training … go back to Question 1

4. Has your longwall ever had a roof fall which stopped production for more than one day?

a. Yes

b. No

5. Do you know why?

a. Poor geology

b. Poor management

c. Lack of training … go back to Question 1

6. How would you describe your longwall face alignment?

a. Always straight

b. Nearly straight

c. Slightly curvy

7. Why is it so?

a. Good training

b. Poor training … go back to Question 1

8. What is the designed support system pressure on your longwall roof supports?

a. More than 320 bar

b. Less than 320 bar

c. Enough to lower advance and set them again … go back to Question 4

9. What is the lowest setting pressure seen on your roof supports?

a. Less than 320 bar

b. Less than 230 bar

c. Less than 200 bar ... go back to question 4

10. Are you satisfied with the level of people training on your longwall?

a. Yes

b. No … go back to Question 1

11. If you have got this far, then you have one of the highest producing longwalls in the world or you just can’t resist a good read!