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Underground

Our underground health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives include strengthening ventilation and gas management technology, minimising risks from fires and explosions, advancing emergency response technologies, reducing operating costs and improving reliability of subsidence predictions.


Roadway Development (34 Reports)

Lightweight Composite Conveyor Support Structures for Underground Coal Mines Applications

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C3301301/06/2023
Author: Gangadhara Prusty, Serkan Saydam, Sangarapillai Kanapathipillai & Phyo Thu Muang | University of New South Wales

Underground mines heavily rely on belt conveyor systems for efficient transportation of mined products, traditionally using steel conveyor structures. However, the weight and manual handling risks associated with steel structures pose safety concerns and productivity losses. Lightweight ....  read more

 

Integrated Roadway Development: A Strategic Industry Review

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C2903430/05/2021
Author: Jonathon Ralston, Craig James, David Hainsworth and Mark Dunn | CSIRO

This report describes the outcomes of a strategic review of Australian roadway development practice, capability and requirements. It identifies industry priorities, what is considered best practice and why, and provides recommendations to support delivery on the ACARP Roadway Development Task ....  read more

 

Automated Long Tendon Installation System

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C2506801/02/2021
Author: Des Conway | Conway Engineering

This project investigated the suitability of a novel design to simultaneously and independently spin and push a long tendon into a predrilled hole. The objective was to allow a tendon to be inserted whilst simultaneously bursting and mixing multiple resin sausages. This is considered an ....  read more

 

Self-Drilling Bolt Automation Trial

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C2505803/11/2020
Author: Mark Levey | OKA Rock Bolt Technologies

There are several self-drill roof bolt concepts and prototypes that have been trialled in the industry. This technology allows for a chemically anchored pre-tensioned, fully encapsulated installed bolt. The technology also allows for the self-drill rock bolt installation to be fully automated. ....  read more

 

Development of an Assistive Shuttle Car Guidance System: Stage 2 Implementation

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C2705101/08/2020
Author: Jonathon Ralston, Hayden Clarke, Andrew Strange and Craig James | CSIRO

This project explored the development of a new assistive shuttle car guidance system to improve the safety, productivity and sustainability of roadway development operations. It built upon the reference design established in project C26049 Assistive Shuttle Car Stage 1 which outlined the ....  read more

 

An On-machine Bolting and Geotechnical Monitoring System

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C2605127/06/2020
Author: Jonathon Ralston, Chad Hargrave, Craig James, Zen Chai and Paul McPhee | CSIRO

The primary objective of this project was to investigate how laser scanning and processing technology could be used to determine the location of installed roof bolts in an underground coal mining roadway environment. Of secondary interest was the exploration of the degree to which ....  read more

 

Benchmarking Study of Underground Coal Mine Logistics

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C2802101/03/2020
Author: David Walker, Chris Harvey, Ernest Baafi, Ian Porter, Senevi Kiridena | University of Wollongong

This project investigated the management of logistics within underground coal mines in Australia and considered mechanisms that might be utilised to ensure the movement of personnel and materials in and around a mine is achieved in a timely and efficient manner. Optimising the development of ....  read more

 

Polymer-based Alternative to Steel Mesh for Coal Mine Strata Reinforcement

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C2004101/04/2017
Author: Ernest Baafi, Ian Porter, Jan Nemcik, Kel Mews, Noel Noé and Daniel Gailer | The University of Wollongong

The report details work undertaken to develop a polymer-based alternative to steel mesh for longwall coal mine roadway strata support. The objective of the research was to develop a skin confinement system that can be remotely applied thereby facilitating automation of the roadway development ....  read more

 

Review of Roof Support Options for Next Generation of Continuous Miner

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C2500319/05/2016
Author: Mahdi Zoorabadi, Winton Gale | SCT Operations

SCT Operations Pty Ltd have been requested by ACARP roadway development task group to conduct an assessment of roof support options for the next generation of continuous miners (CM). The feasibility of using a canopy-like system to protect the unsupported span of roadway, bolt placement close ....  read more

 

Hi-Track/SEBS Continuous Haulage System

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C2301808/02/2016
Author: Sean Starling | Scott Technology

This project set out to redesign the Scott enclosed belt system (SEBS), in conjunction with the HiTrack support system, for underground coal mine applications. This project focused on three primary objectives:

· To develop a Fire Resistant and Anti-Static (FRAS) belt formulation ....  read more

 

Stage Three Report: Automated Bolting And Mesh Handling On A Continuous Miner

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C1701801/03/2014
Author: Stephen van Duin, Peter Donnelly, Ian Oxley, Luke Meers, Daniel Gailer | University of Wollongong

Roadway development rates across the Industry are failing to keep pace with modern longwall systems and are unlikely to sustain further improvements in longwall productivity unless step change improvements to roadway development equipment and practices are realised. Bottlenecks which constrain ....  read more

 

Automated Monorail Extension System For Roadway Development

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C2003501/09/2013
Author: Luke Meers, Stephen Van Duin | University of Wollongong

The supply of services to the continuous miner and the ventilation of the face area play an important part of the roadway development process. Monorail technology has improved the supply method of these services by allowing an advancing system to follow the miner carrying ventilation ducting, ....  read more

 

CM2010 Project: Continuous Miner Automation Component

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C1802331/08/2012
Author: David Reid, Chad Hargrave, Andrew Strange, Peter Reid, Karsten Hoehn , Mark Dunn, Jonathon Ralston | CSIRO

This project covers the second half of the planned effort required to demonstrate autonomous navigation (self steering) of a Continuous Miner (CM) to a proof-of-concept level. This report presents the work components undertaken and the research decisions made during the project, together with ....  read more

 

10 MPOH Continuous Haulage System For Longwall Gateroad Development

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C2102509/05/2012
Author: Peter Wypych | University of Wollongong

Despite attempts to introduce continuous haulage systems into Australian coal mines since the late-1980s, shuttle cars remain the primary method of coal clearance from face to panel conveyor in bord and pillar operations and longwall gateroad development. Such batch coal haulage systems have a ....  read more

 

The Modelling of Roadway Development to Support Longwall Mining

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c1701901/11/2009
Author: Ernest Baafi, Geoff Gray, Ian Porter, Osvaldo Rojas | Simulation Modelling Services Pty Ltd and School of Civil, Mining & Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong

The practice of longwall mining is potentially an efficient and cost effective means of extracting coal from underground seams, however, for production targets to be achieved not only must the longwall perform as expected but roadway development must be kept ahead of the longwall advance. The ....  read more

 

Rapid Roadway Development

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C901703/06/2009
Author: David Hainsworth | CSIRO Exploration & Mining

The project commenced in 1998 and involved collaboration between ACARP, CSIRO, JCOAL, Boart Longyear, The IHI Corporation, Taheiyo Komatsu and Hydramatic Engineering (now Sandvik).  All funds allocated to this project have been expended and the work program forming project C9017 is now ....  read more

 

Analytical Tools For Managing Rock Fall Hazards In Australian Coal Mine Roadways

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C1402904/03/2009
Author: Ross Seedsman, Nick Gordon, Naj Aziz | University of Wollongong, Seedsman Geotechnics Pty Ltd, Gordon Geotechniques Pty Ltd

This report provides a reference source for the design of ground control measures in coal mine roadways using analytical methods.  Analytical methods are based on identifying potential failure modes from knowledge of the geology, followed by simple analyses based on hand calculations, ....  read more

 

Longwall Automation 2

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C1500201/05/2008
Author: David Hainsworth, David Reid, Con Caris, JC Ralston, CO Hargrave, Ron McPhee, IN Hutchinson, A Strange, C Wesner | CSIRO

This report covers a nominal two-year extension to the Major Longwall Automation Project (C10100). This report presents work programs undertaken, results achieved against the original goals and subsequently re-scoped goals and recommendations for further work. This document is the final ....  read more

 

Self Drilling Rock Bolt Technology - Development of Self Drilling Rock Bolt

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C1102801/06/2007
Author: Peter Gray | Ground Support Services

A new Self Drilling Rock Bolt (SDRB) system has been developed which uses a pumpable resin system for full column resin encapsulation for immediate roof and rib support. A new drilling and injection system has also been developed to enable fast and efficient bolt installation.

 ....  read more

 

Australian Roadway Development - Current Status

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C1500501/03/2007
Author: Gary Gibson | Gary Gibson & Associates

Development rates are failing to keep up with advances in longwall production. The ACARP Roadway Development Task Group (RDTG) is seeking to address this through targeted research and development.

The RDTG utilised key findings of this scoping study, Project C15005,  to establish ....  read more

 

Longwall Automation

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C10100AB01/09/2005
Author: Mick Kelly, David Hainsworth, David Reid, Con Caris, Patrick Humphries, Jonathon Ralston, Chad Hargrace, Fusheng Li, Brett Poulsen, Ian Hutchinson, Hua Guo, Hal Gurgenci, Graham Brooker | CSIRO Exploration & Mining, CRCMining

The three-year $4.31m ACARP Major Longwall Automation project is complete. This report presents work programs undertaken, results achieved against original and re-scoped goals and recommendations for future work.

In general the major contributions of the project to longwall mining ....  read more

 

Self Drilling Rock Bolt Technology Development - Stage 1

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C1100401/06/2002
Author: Peter Gray | Ground Support Services

The results from this project are the culmination of four years of research by Ground Support Services Pty Ltd (GSS) into the Hot-Roll Forging process (HRF) for the production of hollow steel bars for use as Self Drilling Rock ....  read more

 

Cable Safe System for Shuttle Cars in Underground Coal Mines

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C1002612/12/2001
Author: Bob Ifield | Hyden Engineering

The primary objective of this project was to improve safety and to reduce the costs associated with failures of trailing cables on shuttle cars. A summary of related 'incidences' from the relevant authorities for the mines in NSW and QLD shows that up to 51% of the ....  read more

 

Cable-Safe System for Shuttle Cars

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C900401/08/2000
Author: Bob Ifield | Hyden Engineering

The objective of the project was to improve safety and to reduce the costs associated with failures of trailing cables, through the application of a new product that may be retrofitted to existing fleets. This product: (1) increases the minimum tension to reduce failures resulting from the ....  read more

 

Rapid Roadway Development

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C801401/05/2000
Author: Michael Kelly, Hau Guo, David Hainsworth Rao Balusu, K Mitchel, G Carter, Boatong Shen, D Adhikary, S Craig, H Kahraman | CSIRO Exploration & Mining

CSIRO and JCOAL signed an umbrella agreement for investment in productivity related research projects for the Australian underground coal industry in July 1997. Under the agreement, JCOAL agreed to jointly fund critical areas of research and development that would result in a direct improvement ....  read more

 

Implementation of Roadway Development Strategy

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C603701/10/1999
Author: Michael Kelly | CSIRO Exploration & Mining

Improvements in roadway development rates remain one of the most important issues in underground coal mining in Australia. Through a series of industry meetings and workshops in 1996-97, it was determined that applying a systems approach to current practice could both dramatically ....  read more

 

Productivity & Safety From Integrated Continuous Roadway Development System

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C305701/03/1999
Author: | Capricorn Coal Management

This report addresses a commissioned roadway development project that set out to improve mining efficiency and reduced production costs. The scope of the project was to improve roadway  ....  read more

 

Post Grouting Technology to Reduce Bolting Cycle Times

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C502101/02/1999
Author: | Coffey

This report details the results of a roof bolt trial utilising the Ingersoll Rand marketed CT-Bolt at a number of collieries in the Sydney and Bowen Basins. The project was ....  read more

 

Longwall Gateroad Development Systems, Belt Top Pantechnicon

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C4015B01/01/1999
Author: K Hall, Keith Robinson | Illawarra Conveyor Services

This Brief summarises the development of the Fan Trolley and Material Trolley. The project was sponsored by Springvale Colliery, in association with Illawarra Conveyor Services, Wollongong

Springvale Colliery had a requirement to provide auxiliary ....  read more

 

Coordination of Roadway Development Strategy

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C501301/02/1997
Author: Michael Kelly | CSIRO Exploration & Mining

Roadway development is one of the most important issues facing the profitability, viability and future of underground coal mines. For the last decade roadway development has been unable to keep pace with improvements in longwall extraction rates.

In ....  read more

 

Analysis of Roadway Development Systems and Assessment of Research Requirements

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C406830/08/1995
Author: Michael Kelly | CSIRO Australia

In 1994 it was proposed by the ACARP Mining Systems Task Force, to formulate a detailed strategy and business plan for the future direction of roadway development research and specifically to use a systems approach in this formulation.

 ....  read more

 

Rib Bolting Study

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C310430/07/1994
Author: Michael W Fabjanczyk, Robert J Guy | Strata Control Technology

The ACARP Underground Mining Systems Task Force requested Strata Control Technology to prepare a brief study on the status of rib bolting in the Australian coal mining industry. This study would then be used to assist the task force in identifying  ....  read more

 

Underground Roads Manual: Construction and Maintenance

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C302630/06/1994
Author: Ross Seedsman, A Logan, G Cocks, B Nicholls | Coffey Partners International

Provide the means to improve underground road pavement construction and maintenance.

Summary of Situation

Good roads are essential in moving men and materials to and from the coal face. With the application of good pavement construction ....  read more

 

Critique of Mobile Boot End

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C304130/11/1993
Author: Terry O'Beirne, David Price | ACIRL

ACIRL was commissioned by the Roadway Development Taskforce of ACARP to examine a relatively new device called a mobile boot end. The objectives being to critique its performance to date at 3 mines; comment on how this device may impact on longwall development systems of the near future and ....  read more

 

Underground

Health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives.

Recently Completed Projects

C33029Review Longwall Face Ventilation To Mitigate Goaf Gas Emissions Onto Walkways And Tailgate End

As longwall mining increasingly targets deeper coal seams, managing ...

C29009Control Of Transient Touch Voltages During Switching

There have been an increasing number of electric shock incidents rep...

C29025Effectiveness Of Shotcrete In Underground Coal Mines

The primary objective of this project is to quantify the effectivene...

Underground

Open Cut

Safety, productivity and the right to operate are priorities for open cut mine research.

Open Cut

Coal Preparation

Maximising throughput and yield while minimising costs and emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C34041A Coal Spiral For The 2020S

The objective of this project is to develop an enhanced coal process...

C33057Foreign Contaminants Detection On Conveyor Belts Using Digital Imaging Processing Techniques And Coal Penetrating Sensors

This project was initiated to tackle the ongoing issue of foreign co...

C29065Wash Plant Fines Testing Methods Enhancement

Accurately estimating the proportion of expected fine size material ...

Coal Preparation

Technical Market Support

Market acceptance and emphasising the advantages of Australian coals.

Recently Completed Projects

C34054Scoping Study: Design Of Cokes From Biomass-Coal Blends For Sustainable Blast Furnace Ironmaking

There is an increasing focus on improving the environmental sustaina...

C34058Strength Development In Fouling Deposits

When coal is combusted in a boiler, the fly ash that is produced flo...

C34059Coke Reactivity With CO2 And H2O And Impacts On Coke Microstructure And Gas Diffusion

With the global shift to low-carbon ironmaking, partial substitution...

Technical Market Support

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the production of coal.

Recently Completed Projects

C34066Safe Operation Of Catalytic Reactors For The Oxidation Of VAM Operating Under Abnormal Reaction Conditions

The catalyst Pd/TS-1 has shown excellent activity in oxidising venti...

C28076Selective Absorption Of Methane By Ionic Liquids (SAMIL)

This third and final stage of this project was the culmination of a ...

C29069Low-Cost Catalyst Materials For Effective VAM Catalytic Oxidation

Application of ventilation air methane (VAM) thermal oxidiser requir...

Mine Site Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Low Emission Coal Use

Step-change technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Recently Completed Projects

C17060BGasification Of Australian Coals

Four Australian coals were trialled in the Siemens 5 MWth pilot scale ga...

C17060AOxyfuel Technology For Carbon Capture And Storage Critical Clean Coal Technology - Interim Support

The status of oxy-fuel technology for first-generation plant is indicate...

C18007Review Of Underground Coal Gasification

This report consists of a broad review of underground coal gasification,...

Low Emission Coal Use

Mining And The Community

The relationship between mines and the local community.

Recently Completed Projects

C16027Assessing Housing And Labour Market Impacts Of Mining Developments In Bowen Basin Communities

The focus of this ACARP-funded project has been to identify a number...

C22029Understanding And Managing Cumulative Impacts Of Coal Mining And Other Land Uses In Regions With Diversified Economies

The coal industry operates in the context of competing land-uses that sh...

C23016Approval And Planning Assessment Of Black Coal Mines In NSW And Qld: A Review Of Economic Assessment Techniques

This reports on issues surrounding economic assessment and analysis ...

Mining And The Community

NERDDC

National Energy Research,Development & Demonstration Council (NERDDC) reports - pre 1992.

Recently Completed Projects

1609-C1609Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

Self Heating of Spoil Piles from Open Cut Coal Mines

1301-C1301Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development...

Stress Control Methods for Optimised Development and Extraction Operations

0033-C1356Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals...

Commissioned Report: Australian Thermal Coals - An Industry Handbook

NERDDC