The technologies include the shearer position measurement system; automatic face alignment; automatic creep management; and INS-based horizon control.

A pre-commercial prototype of the shearer position measurement and automatic face alignment technology is already operating at Xstrata’s Beltana longwall mine.

In 2006, for the third year in a row, Beltana was the highest producing longwall mine in Australia at 6.8 million tonnes, topping its nearest rival by almost 2Mt.

Anglo Coal's Grasstree and BMA's Broadmeadow longwall mine are also using the face alignment system.

Beltana's engineering coordinator Peter Henderson said the introduction of the inertial navigation system (INS) has enabled automation that was only dreamed of in years gone by.

"This sensor has allowed the automation of the shearer ranging arms to finally be accurate enough that technicians now accept that the shearer will produce a better cutting horizon than they ever could," Henderson told CSIRO's Earthmatters magazine.

"The navigation aspect of this system has allowed us to automatically control overall longwall steering without impacting on production," he said.

"The INS surveys the face alignment and geometry and then the algorithms developed by the CSIRO 'correct' the face alignment and steering."

CSIRO has worked on the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) funded project to develop new technology to locate and guide coal cutting equipment in longwall mines.

One of the major objectives of the project has been to develop automation sensors and software that add value to existing OEM products and that will allow different equipment from different manufacturers to communicate and work together.

“The goal was to provide automated systems that would allow people to move away from hazardous equipment,” CSIRO senior principal research engineer Dr David Hainsworth said.

“If you can move people even 50 metres away from where the action is, you can improve safety by being away from the mechanical and hydraulic energy and dusty environment.”

CSIRO marketing and communication manager Bob Chamberlain told ILN that more details on the deal would be released after the finalised licensing agreement was completed and signed in late May.

Keep watching ILN for more information on the deal with Joy Global.