The event included a collection of retrospective presentations, showcasing the progress of 13 key ground control areas the event has addressed since it was established in 1981.

Conference chairs Syd Peng and Chris Mark told International Longwall News said the conference attracted some 300 delegates from 11 countries, with an unprecedented representation of mine operators including Alliance Coal, Foundation Coal and BHP Billiton.

“Leading researchers from around the world were tapped to present their observations on topics including pillar design, horizontal stress, roof bolting, longwall supports and coal waste impoundment stability,” Peng said.

“Other papers addressed maingate roof support design and management, cable bolt support, pillar retreat mining, roof screen performance, and rock mass characterization,” he said, adding that some case histories from Bowie Resources’ No. 1 operation, Arch Coal’s West Elk mine and Foundation Coal’s Emerald and Wabash mine complexes were also on the itinerary.

“The conference’s tone reflected the current positive, optimistic outlook for the coal industry, combined with the seriousness and renewed effort to eliminating the ground fall hazard in underground coal mines. The continuous growth of the conference over the past five years confirms its leading role in this worldwide effort,” Mark said.

“The 25-year retrospective papers provided solid benchmarks that showed how much progress has been made, and also how much work remains to be done.”

The 26th Annual International Ground Control Conference has been scheduled for July 31 to August 2, 2007.