The deal gives Longwall Associates the worldwide manufacturing and marketing rights for the machines which will be manufactured out of the Mackay head office. A new model is being designed (Longwall Associates MCLE 1700) and will be available next year, according to Longwall Associates managing director, Peter van Iersel. This will be the first time a longwall shearer has been fully manufactured in Australia and gives the company the opportunity of offering a total shearer/AFC package.

“We have advanced plans to manufacture the first machine in Australia and the first is due to be completed in October 2003,” said van Iersel.

Key specifications include:

- Machine Voltage 3.3volts

- Installed Ranging Arm Power 1100kW

- Cutting Height 2 – 4.5 metres

- Cutting speed 30m/minute

- Fully approved for use in Australian Underground Coal Mines

Van Iersel said a number of Australian manufacturers and OEMs would be involved in the design and manufacture of the shearer. These will include electrical engineering companies, tooling companies, specialist control system developers, and many others. For example, Longwall Associates is keen to explore the use of variable frequency drives and how these can be interfaced between the shearer and AFC.

Longwall Associates Australia Pty Ltd will now also introduce the C & A Cutter Head Shearer Drums on to the Australian market. C & A Cutter Head is an associated company with Longwall Associates in the USA and supply approximately 50% of the US shearer drum market.

Until recently, three Australian longwall mines used Mitsui shearers. Bellambi West and Cordeaux closed earlier this year, leaving the German Creek Southern operation with the only operating Mitsui in Australia. Longwall Associates will pick up the servicing arrangements for this shearer.

To support the companyÂ’s growing manufacturing base, several new appointments have also been announced.

Chris White, most recently employed by Joy Mining Machinery, joined the company as national sales director, based in NSW. Pat Clamp, also ex-Joy, has been employed as electrical engineer. Brenton Head takes the role of Queensland sales engineer and Ian Potter joins as senior service engineer to head ongoing service requirements for Mitsui shearers. Bruce Jarrett will head research and development into the redevelopment of the new shearer.

“We welcome these world-class individuals to our company. They bring added depth of experience at a key time of growth for Longwall Associates,” said van Iersel.