Michael Harvey, AKA Harv, started work in the coalmines in January 1979 after working for the construction company that built the surface infrastructure of the Mapco Mettiki “Gobblers Knob” mine in Maryland. His initial duties included brattice work and equipment operator developing mains.

In 1981 he acquired section foreman’s certification and began his supervisory career as a foreman in a room and pillar section. In 1984-85 work began on developing panels for the longwall that was put in service in November 1985 and Harv was selected as one of the production supervisors for the Dowty/Joy face.

“In 1989 I was appointed longwall coordinator and I will never forget that first day I was informed of my new assignment. It went something like this; ‘Hey Harv, you’re the new longwall coordinator, and by the way, the stageloader is buried under a roof fall!’” Harv recalled.

During this time he worked with original equipment manufacturers developing or improving longwall operations through roof support and shearer automation. In 1993 Mettiki purchased a new longwall face with Ms40 roof support control system and in 1996 purchased the Joy series 7 upgrade for the shearer to include memory cut.

Always very interested in technology and automation he took every opportunity to improve or upgrade the longwall system to keep pace with the world. “I had a vision of someday operating a totally automated longwall face.”

When Mapco sold to Alliance, Harv participated on another acquisition team. The opportunity allowed him to visit and compare many longwall operations to the one at Mettiki. “At that time the Mettiki longwall may not have been the most productive, but I’m convinced it was the most efficient,” he said.

In 2000 Harv was offered the job of underground maintenance coordinator at the BHP Billiton San Juan underground mine being developed in New Mexico. He assisted with the employee selection process, developing equipment specifications and training the new workforce. In 2002 he became longwall automation specialist.

Harv said he has changed hobbies “as much as one might change their socks,” but currently enjoys spending time with his family riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

ILN:What is your earliest mining memory?

Harv: During the construction phase of the Mettiki operation the UMWA went on strike. The union came to the operation on several occasions to picket. On one occasion, things got a little out of control, equipment got damaged, personal vehicles were trashed, but no personal injuries were reported. I was really scared when the state police escorted us off the mine property. I saw my “so called friends” with baseball bats, guns and even a “hand grenade” that the state police would not or could not remove from them.

ILN: What made you choose mining as a career?

Harv: It was all about the money! Mapco Mettiki was the highest paying job in town.

ILN: When was your first underground visit?

Harv: My first shift underground, the mine superintendent, Blucher Allison, walked with me down to 6 crosscut and instructed me to build walls out of concrete blocks in specified locations. Later in the day Mr. Allison came back and showed me how to ride the belts out of the mine. At that time there were no transportation and the belts were a welcome ride out.

ILN: What was your favourite job in a coal mine?

Harv: As an operator, I really enjoyed utility type work. I would haul supplies in and out of the mine, scoop or push the faces, rock dust and keep the bolters supplied. At the end of the day, I would go home with a sense of pride that I accomplished a good days work. As a supervisor, it would be hard to beat my current position, Longwall Automation Specialist. I get to introduce new technology as well as train the operators on the use of such tools. It’s very satisfying to see the new system work as well as the look on the employee’s faces when they learn the new technology.

ILN: What was your least favourite job?

Harv: Roof Bolting! This job was very monotonous. Although the job is very important, I believe it takes a very special kind of person to perform this task every day.

ILN: Who, or what, has most influenced your mining career?

Harv: I would have to say the introduction of the Longwall at Mapco Mettiki has influenced my mining career the most. I was very impressed on how all the many different pieces of equipment would work together and generate the same production levels in a single shift it would take a continuous mine days to equal.

ILN: What do you consider your best mining achievement?

Harv: As Longwall Coordinator at Mapco Mettiki, I assisted with the introduction and development of the first MS40 Fully Automated Gate End sequence roof support control system as well as the JOY series 7 memory cut systems. We successfully operated these systems for many years attracting visitors from all over the world. With these systems in place and functioning, the Mapco Longwall was allowed to operate in a very competitive market. I truly believe that the Mapco Longwall was one of, if not the most efficient longwall operating during that time.

ILN: What do you see as being the greatest mining development during your career?

Harv: The introduction of Fully Automated Gate End sequenced roof control system. Prior to this, operators were required to work downwind of the shearer machine utilizing “Rotary Selectors” or “Finger” valves to operate the shields and push the pan line. Many health issues were present when operating the supports in this fashion.

ILN: Do you hold any mining records?

Harv: Records are always a TEAM event! Mapco Mettiki holds two World Monthly Longwall production records, one in 1986 and again latter in 1988. During both of those periods I was acting Longwall section supervisor.

ILN: Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?

Harv: I would like to be part of the team that someday would successfully operate a fully automated Longwall.

ILN: What was your most embarrassing moment in a coal mine?

Harv: Pick on Harv Day! As an inexperienced miner, the crew was assigned to work on the surface for some reason. During this time most of the crew were participating in picking on me. Well, I had about enough when I yelled back “All you all, can kiss my rosy red #@#” and pulled my pants down to expose my back half. At that time I heard a very familiar voice yelling down, “I’ve been MOONED”. I turned around and saw the mine superintendent, Mr. Blucher Allison standing there. I thought sure my mine career was over.

ILN: What was your scariest time in a coal mine? Click here for more...click here to read on.