The new projects, predominantly being developed by the Australian coal industry’s junior and mid-tier players has generated plenty of interest amongst readers keen to gain an insight into the operations (Cook’s continuous haulage success, Aquila flies with Eagle Downs, Carborough Downs' dawn, Heading underground at Narrabri).

A bit longer in the tooth but still a trail blazer, Moranbah North’s order for the world’s biggest powered roof supports has created plenty of interest (Moranabh’s world first). Moranbah will install 151 by 1750-tonne, 2m-wide Joy Mining Machinery roof supports in the second quarter of next year as it attempts to combat strata issues.

Looking further away, the challenges Asian American Coal (AACI) joint venture has faced ramping up the Daning mine in China's Shanxi Province over the past seven years was a hit with readers ( American success in China).

In the US, Consol Energy’s Enlow Fork mine proved popular as the county’s only active triple longwall operation (The three faces of Enlow Fork).

The floods that devastated Queensland in January this year hit home with our readers, with some mines, especially the Ensham opencut, still reeling from the affects (Emerald mines and community threatened by floods).

Continuing on a somber note but in more recent events, the global financial crisis hit close to home this month with news operations at Xstrata’s Oaky No. 1 mine would be suspended, with 190 contractors and 40 permanent staff losing jobs (Oaky No. 1 closed, jobs lost).