During 2005 the OEM concentrated on its low seam business, which it highlighted at this year’s Longwall USA in September with the exhibition of its low seam pan from a complete pan line manufactured for Oak Grove Mine.

With 2005 in the bag, the company is now looking forward to a prosperous 2006 with plenty of new projects on the horizon.

Longwall Associates US sales manager Ken Dunn said he had seen the opening of new mines that only a few years ago were deemed uneconomic.

“The demand for a high quality product at increased selling prices moves the lower seam installations into profitable ventures; thus, previously uneconomic operations that ceased production several years ago are now reopening or considering reopening,” he said.

Another factor weighing in on new mine development is the impending increase in power plants and the inevitable baseload increase.

“The decision to increase the volume of new coal-fired power plants has already increased the number of potential new underground mines being developed or reopened,” Dunn said.

“Indications are that the number of underground mines operating longwall faces will increase by approximately 10% in the next 3 years. If this becomes a reality, we would expect our business to expand accordingly.”