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The agreement was signed with Xstrata’s Beltana Highwall Mine on January 31 this year.
The “state-of-the-art” Joy longwall system will extract low ash thermal and semi-soft coal from Blakefield in New South Wales' Hunter Valley.
The project will recover about 80 million tonnes of coal, producing 8Mt per annum for Asian buyers.
Mining will take place initially beneath the old South Bulga workings.
The existing Joy longwall at Beltana has been part of the operation for the past 13 years, producing close to 60Mt.
Joy said the new longwall will form a key part of the future performance of Beltana over the next 10 years.
“Beltana has been the highest producing underground mine by a significant margin over the last four years,” said Beltana general manager Greg Pawley.
“The company is confident that with the purchase of this new Joy longwall system it can maintain its leadership position and even increase the productivity of the underground operation at Beltana.”
The new longwall will consist of 200 powered roof supports – each 2m wide and 1270t (yield load) – fitted with the RS20s control system.
Joy said the two sets of armoured face conveyors to be supplied set a new world benchmark for installed power – with a 400kW crusher; 600kW and 1550mm wide BSL; and 2x1600kW, 1100mm AFC (able to be upgraded to 3x1600kW).
The Joy 7LS6 shearer (two sets) is state-of-the-art with 1000kW rated ranging arms, 860kW cutter motors, 150kW mega drive haulage, and a FACEBOSS automation system with an integrated Landmark Inertial Navigation System.
The complete longwall will be delivered with pump stations, electrical sub-system, monorail and a comprehensive project management capability.
The new longwall system will build on the automation levels achieved by Beltana that have contributed to world-class safety and productivity.
Joy said it was committed to supporting the Beltana team in taking longwall automation to yet another level in the coal industry.
The company said Beltana’s high expectations of performance and reliability will be supported with a Joy Life Cycle Management agreement.
“The Beltana operation has enjoyed a close working relationship with Joy Mining Machinery and are very confident that Joy has the necessary technical ability to deliver what will be the world’s most advanced longwall system,” Pawley said.
