Already represented in the US, the company said it was looking for an Australian partner to handle issues related to local approval processes, sales and services.

The company is currently undergoing a phase of rapid international expansion. In China, Becker has supplied control and automation for DBT’s longwall plough systems. At the Wesola mine in Poland, Becker Warkop recently commissioned a 3.3 kV energy supply system for a high-production longwall including ENDIS transformer, switchgear and PROMOS automation system.

PROMOS is an innovative and open automation system especially designed for underground mining. Due to its modular design, it can be adapted to any application –from an isolated control function to a mine-wide monitoring and control system.

Along with the company’s BETACONTROL computer system, the PROMOS automation system provides intelligent control at all levels of process automation.

“Becker Mining Systems is a supplier of the whole range of equipment needs in energy supply and electrical equipment, from the surface to the face,” said Arnold Trockur, Becker director sales and marketing.

The company’s newest product is the MINING MASTER, a flameproof automation unit based on standard PC technology.

The operating system Windows NT Embedded allows for the use of most software tools. Several intrinsically safe bus lines that connect local automation systems, means the MINING MASTER can be adapted to any machine or mining operation. The first application of the MINING MASTER as a longwall face controller is being used by German mining company, Deutsche Steinkohle AG in a deep coal mine.

In the field of radio communication, products include the Becker Leaky Feeder system for mine-wide communications and the Becker Tagging and Tracking System.