Joy will supply a 257m long AFC with 42mm chain and 2 x 700kW motors. The conveyor capacity is 3000 tonnes/hr.

Also included is a 38mm stage loader, crusher and Matilda belt end. The equipment will be supplied to Yangchangwan Mine in mid 2005.

The equipment will work on a 4m high longwall face at a gradient of 11 degrees.

Yangchangwan Mine is located in Ningxia Province, 60km from the capital, Yinchuan.

Meanwhile, Mike Graham, director, product management - Longwall Systems, formerly based in Joy's Global Headquarters in Warrendale Pa, is relocating to China in January 2005 to take up the position of sales director - China, based in Beijing.