The system was developed by Walter Mining and Hydramatic Engineering in response to a number of serious incidents over the past few years at minesites involving hand bolting whilst developing with roadheaders. The TRS is also in compliance with the latest mining guidelines.

Walter Mining International and Tunnelling general manager Peter Wilson said the TRS provided a safe working area for the operators to bolt from and increased productivity from roadheader developments.

The TRS comes into play on the roadheader on completion of the cutting sequence and when the machine is put in bolting mode. The bolters and TRSs are extended forward from the main frame of the AM105 with hydraulic rams. The TRSs are then operated from the machine where they are extended to the floor and roof. The bolters are then accessed from the machine by extending platforms.

When designing the TRS, Wilson said the biggest challenge was the mounting of the support framework to the roadheader and the access platforms.

Wilson said the one drawback of the design was that it increased the width and weight of the roadheader.

At Blakefield, located at the site of the old South Bulga mine in New South Wales, Walter intends to take 10 months to complete the project at advance rates of 35m per week. Blakefield will replace the highly productive Beltana longwall, which will cease operations in 2009-2010.

Published in March 2007 Australian Longwall Magazine