The global outlook for the coal market will be covered by Robert Johansen, Barlow Jonker while Professor Don Barnett, Managing Director, Minec will ask “Do we need new mines?”

International presentations include an overview of the UK COAL operations, the Svea Nord Longwall mine operation in Norway, and Uli Paschedag on “Automated High-Production Longwall Mining of Medium and Thin Seams – Latest Technology and Case Studies”

Mine developments include the introduction of longwall mining at Glennies Creek, (Peter Ross, mine manager), the challenges and opportunities of mining the Greta Seam at Southland, (Peter Hayes, general manager – coal operations) and the introduction of an automated longwall at United Colliery (Jim Middleton, operations manager, United Coal)

Other papers include a presentation by Bob Evans, vice president, Norwest Corporation, USA, on comparing longwall performance between Australia, United Kingdom, and United States.

Gerrie Vergeer, managing director, Voest Alpine, South Africa will describe the introduction of longwall equipment into South Africa and the equipment used to relocate the longwall at the Matla Coal mine

Voith Turbo will describe hydrodynamic couplings in the drive of heavy duty conveyors.

The summit will include the inaugural Longwall Industry Awards Dinner on March 13, to be hosted by Wally Lewis. The dinner will recognise the achievements of Australia’s leading longwall miners. An independent panel of industry leaders will judge nominations.

Categories include: Equipment supplier of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Safety, Longwall Miner of the Year and Most Innovative Technology Supplier.

Further information and nominations may be addressed to Diana.Lauzi@informa.com.au