Lautsch most recently worked for RAG American Coal Company in Pennsylvania, USA where the company has the Cumberland and Emerald longwall mines
While there Lautsch implemented innovative concepts in longwall development to overcome a potential shortfall in production due to productivity losses in longwall development. Changes included development of standards that resulted in improved performance, a change in the mine layout and introduction of new continuous mining technology which increased performance 10% per shift.
From 1991-1998, Lautsch was mine manager at the 3Mtpa Westerholt underground mine in Germany. He implemented roof bolting as the primary roof support system and helped shift the mine from being one of the least productive German mines into one of the most productive.
Lautsch takes over from Frank Leschhorn who has been in the position for the last three years.
“I look forward to becoming a part of the Australian coal mining industry,” Lautsch said.