The company will change its products distribution systems by phasing out the reseller companies of its Lokset resin capsule range, instead offering direct sales and service to its customers.

The Minova Lokset resin capsules are used as part of the strata reinforcement system in longwall mines.

“Whilst Minova appreciates the contribution of reseller companies in the history of the Lokset resin capsule usage, we believe that a more effective means of meeting the market and technical needs of our customers is to provide access direct to Minova as the manufacturer and centre for technical development,” the company said.

Minova will continue to supply resin capsules where requested to selected reseller companies, but the customer and field service of these materials will ultimately be provided by Minova.

As part of the restructure, and following Minova’s acquisition of the CarboTech/Ground Consolidation businesses in 2004, the company is now combining all of the underground operations businesses into a single operating company.

The new entity will provide specialist services to the Australian mining industry.

“This will continue to provide the underground mining industry’s leading ventilation, secondary support and emergency response services, utilising Minova’s world-class range of chemical strata support products,” the company said.

The Ventmine and Ground Consolidation businesses together with Minova’s backfill placement business, FASig, will also form part of this new entity.

Combining the operating companies will enable Minova to focus on the contracting service businesses, the introduction of several new products and systems and the upgrading of some existing services.