A number of new mining methods, such as LTCC and wider faces, have ramped up this year in Australia. What are the ramifications of this now and in the long term?

New technologies and methods generally target an increase in production and long term reduction in production costs. This will assist in reducing the impacts from such issues as the ageing work force, the shortage of skilled personnel generally, and the consequential increase in salaries due to demand.

There is also the potential for unforeseen problems that could result in the premature rejection of methods, as impracticable etc and will necessitate continuing research and experimentation

A number of junior and mid-tier coal explorers and producers are currently carrying out exploration, feasibility studies and bringing mines onto line. What does this mean for consultants, and for the Australian industry as a whole?

Generally increased expenditure on exploration, feasibility and new mines occurs during the boom of the resources cycle, which is correspondingly the busiest time for consultants.

The wide range of activities involved from exploration through to feasibility to production requires a commensurately wide range of skills and experience, which many mining companies do not have. This is where the diversity of the large consulting firms should come into its own, supplemented by the smaller specialist firms. In addition, the pressure to progress rapidly frequently means that judicious and skilled planning and assessment is frequently jeopardised. This should create opportunities for others to undertake technical audit and review exercises to ensure that the best solutions/outcomes are achieved.

In your eyes what is the most important R and D project (private or publicly funded) happening at the moment and why?

In my view, the most important research projects are still those that relate to gaining a better understanding of the geology and the factors affecting ground conditions and the influence they have on the design and operation of longwall supports.

Of the purely technological projects the automation of the longwall face and, possibly even more significantly, roof bolting from the continuous miner, would appear to have the greatest potential to create step changes in longwall economics, followed by enhancements to de-bottleneck the coal clearance system

What progress has been made in improving the way roof falls are managed?

Roof falls occur for either very simple or for very complex reasons. They all occur (ultimately) thanks to the effects of gravity, but that is the only constant. Mechanical properties of rock and the stress regimes they operate within are highly variable, the understanding of which is difficult task even with the aid of simplified modelling techniques. Hence education and the creation of better understanding is paramount, as is further research!

How big an impact are consultants making on the strategic direction of companies and mines as the role of the consultant grows in the face of the continuing skills shortage?

In principle, consultants should have very little impact on the strategic direction of companies and mines as they should be used to provide answers to questions and problems specified by the companies. However, they may also be able to assist the companies to determine the right questions to ask.

In addition consultants can provide skills the companies do not have on a project or task related basis. Companies should use consultants to provide answers/designs/opinions to allow the company to make fully informed decisions themselves. In terms of the skills shortage, consultants may be able to provide personnel on a short term contractual basis to cover a shortage. In the medium to long term the company should look to fill the positions with its own staff and hence maintain ownership of the knowledge and experience.

With the government promising a shift to “clean coal” what impact will this have on your business and the landscape of Australian coal as a whole?

This should represent a great opportunity for Australian business to lead the world. We have the technical skills to make clean coal happen and can then export the technology and expertise. If the government does “push” this aspect of the coal industry, it should open up further opportunities for consultants who specialise in this technology.