The ARO Longwall Face Bolter is a new concept in longwall bolt-up being introduced into the American market.

As all longwall operators know major costs are associated with longwall change-outs. Bolt-up of the last three to four shears is usually a slow and cumbersome process and in some instances, operator safety can be compromised.

While mechanisation is utilised at some mines, with small, boom-style mobile bolting machines used for bolt-up, many mines still use labor intensive hand bolters, exposing operators to significant risk while working under unprotected roof. In many areas around the world, injury and even fatalities have been reported from this hazardous activity.

Designed and developed in Australia and manufactured by ARO Mining Products, located in Washington, Pennsylvania, the Longwall Face Bolter has been designed to interface with existing longwall infrastructure. ARO has sold three of the dual drill styles with orders pending for two more. Another customer has ordered two single boom units for delivery in January 2005. At any given time ARO has one or two of the dual drill style bolters out in the field on rental programs.

The longwall bolter self propels along the panline, drawing power from the shield mounted power take-offs (PTO). Fitted with two hydraulic bolters, the machine requires only two operators, who work from a safe operating position under the longwall canopy. The company said the machine has been proven to eliminate lost time injuries.

In Australia and two mines in America, these machines are deployed in pairs, with each one bolting up half of the face, reducing bolt-up time even further.

“They have proven to be very popular among operators, for their safety and ease of operation and among mine owners for the significant reduction in time and cost of longwall change-outs, and elimination of injuries,” ARO vice president Paul Spedding said.

The company also had recent success with its ARO 4-Head Mobile Bolter, a platform style bolter. Currently ARO has orders pending for an additional three machines to be delivered in the first and second quarters of 2005.

Designed to work alongside any continuous miner (CM), the bolter features uncluttered workspace and is capable of installing four 6ft roof bolts in just four minutes and two 4ft rib bolts in under two minutes.

“This machine is used extensively in Australia, South Africa and China and is appreciated by both mine management, for the productivity gains it delivers and by underground mining personnel for its ergonomics and safety,” Spedding said.

“In addition to our mobile bolters and longwall bolters we are also having great success with our retrofit drill rigs which are mounted on CMs, loading machines and road headers for roof and rib bolting.”

Due to the growth in demand for company products and services ARO Mining Products relocated to a new 20,000 square foot facility in November 2004.

ARO Mining Products is a member of the ARO/Hydramatic group of companies, headquartered in Australia with offices in the UK, Germany and South Africa.

The group specialises in the design and manufacture of innovative, reliable and effective drilling/bolting equipment used widely throughout the international underground coal mining industry.

“ARO is small enough to be flexible, listening to our customers and tailoring designs which suit their specific applications, yet we have the experience and critical mass to see all projects through to successful completion,” Spedding said.