These priorities are not prescriptive but should act as a guide to the areas in which ACARP is seeking research proposals, ACARP said.

ACARP is seeking proposals in accordance with a yearly timetable with short proposals of no more than five pages being requested in the first instance. Short proposals should be prepared under the headings listed in the guidelines on the last page of the attached Research Priorities Newsletter.

ACARP assists the Australian coal industry to develop and adopt technology and mining practice that leads the world. The program is entirely funded, owned and managed by the Australian black coal producers.

These priorities have been developed by the five technical committees responsible for proposal development and selection.

ACARP is a collaborative program that utilises the experience and technical strength of both the coal mining industry and research institutions in solving technical problems and addressing issues of significance to the industry’s long term future.

“Any proposed research project that is strongly supported by a mine site and is of interest to a number of coal operations is encouraged,” it said.

“Short proposals must include the Proposal Summary Sheet and should be emailed to anne@acarp.com.au.”