Below are the most popular responses, and some of the consultant’s comments.

1 Roadway Development

“The successful commercialisation of the self drilling bolt will have a material impact on development productivities, which in turn will affect overall cost structures across our industry.” – Palaris Mining

“Today, unlike a longwall, the development process still has many delays associated with the methodology and the true efficiency of a continuous miner is diluted as the machine stops or slows down to install bolts, move fans or belts.” – Snowden

“If they [Cook Colliery] can demonstrate a successful continuous haulage system, the path to a step-change in development rates is clear.” – Seedsman Geotechnics

2 Clean coal technology

“Australia has the potential and the resources to lead the world in these technologies and there is no more immediate and pressing requirement for all stakeholders to secure the longer term viable future of Australian coal extraction and utilisation.” – IMC Mining Solutions

“The political profile of global warming will have an increasing impact on the coal industry and long-term solutions must be found and proven quickly.” – Mining Consultancy Services

3 Automation

“If one project has to be singled out … the drive towards automation of underground equipment and processes to alleviate the exposure of personnel to hazards, and refine the thrust towards quality and consistency in operations and products.” – SRK Consulting

4 Longwall availability

“Many longwalls in Australia are running at less than 50% availability and longwall development rates need to improve if higher longwall performance is to improve in the future.” – John T Boyd

5 Understanding geology

6 De-bottleneck of the coal clearance system

7 Improved methods to drain methane