Over the last 12-18 months Joy Mining Machinery in Queensland has seen significant change. These have included changes to work processes, changes to procedures, changes to attitudes and overall changes to the Parkhurst culture.

These changes have translated to a more efficient work environment, according to Rowan Melrose, Vice President and general manager - Queensland operations.

"The Rebuild Centre works to the simple motto of 'on-time, on-budget and on-quality', and this combined with the above changes has seen a significant increase in workcentre through-put. The last financial year has seen a 40% increase in workshop labour through-put at +80% utilisation," Melrose said.

"This demonstrated growth combined with our ongoing effort to better satisfy our customers increasing expectations, and in association with the company’s overall confidence in the capability of the workcentre has resulted in a +$800k capital expansion program to commence before the end of 2000."

The money will be primarily spent to upgrade power facilities, increase workshop space and build purpose-built gearbox and hydraulic shops. This is additional to the recently completed and purpose built 15m x 8m Washdown Bay and Waste Disposal System.

The upgrade of the high voltage power facilities at PSC incorporates the addition of another 11kv isolator, a new 3.3kv circuit breaker, a new 11kv – 3.3kv transformer, and an expanded 3.3kv distribution panel.

The new sub-station has been installed next to the 4000m2 concrete ‘compatibility’ pad. The associated distribution panel incorporates 4 x 3.3kv (200amp) outlets, and one 110v outlet. This facility now allows for a complete longwall rebuild compatibility allowing the AFC/BSL/Supports and Shearer to be run simultaneously.

The new gearbox facility will be located at the northern end of the existing workshop. To provide an appropriately contaminant free area the northern end of the Workshop will be enclosed and sealed with a 6m roller door. Another wall will be erected and sealed using rubber curtains to provide an 18m x 18m facility. The curtain will allow the existing 10 tonne crane to move into and out of the gearbox area.

A three-phase fan and filter will be installed to provide a positive pressure to the enclosed area with the perimeter sealed by flashing to further preclude any dust.

A new purpose built hydraulics facility is to be constructed and will accommodate repairs and overhauls of legs and rams, valves and longwall pump stations.

The 21 x 30m repair facility will be serviced by a 10 tonne crane and additional Davit cranes. The new facility will compose of a dismantling area, a section for bead blasting and hot solvent scrubbing, an enclosed and clean valve repair section (with an upstairs office and storage space) with the remainder dedicated to the cylinders and pump stations.

The final stage of the expansion program is to cover the washdown facility and to add another 18m x 30m of enclosed workshop.

This area which will be primarily used for stripping and reassembly of shearers and continuous miners and will be serviced by a 40 tonne crane and a 15 tonne auxiliary crane.