Thursday 16 October 2008

Longwall mining automation technology to be commercialised

CSIRO Exploration and Mining will commercialise new mining automation technology by partnering with Joy Australasia.

The commercialising agreement will see CSIRO’s underground longwall automation system, also known as LASC, licensed to Joy Mining Machinery Australasia for commercialisation.

The systems aim to improve productivity and safety by automating the rail-mounted shearing machines which remove slices of coal from the walls of the mine. During this extraction process, roofs supports temporarily hold up the room.

The system includes face alignment, horizon control, communications, operator interface and information systems to locate and guide coal cutting equipment in longwall mines.

It has been successfully prototyped at Xstrata’s Beltana longwall mine, amongst others.

According to CSIRO, other non-exclusive commercial licenses will be announced shortly.