In the Underground area priorities are grouped into four main areas: improved health and safety, management of mining conditions, higher productivity mining, and reliability of mining systems.

 

Priorities in the health and safety area include (among others): clarification of key issues including health assessments, improving operator interfaces (vibration impacts), the safe use of phenolic resins, and improving the management of core hazards such as gas, fires and explosions.

 

In the management of mining conditions research is encouraged into improving the efficiency of characterising ground conditions using innovative methods of drilling and remote sensing; and improved ground control systems.

 

Programs for higher productivity mining are sought covering improvements in roadway development methods and equipment through continuous improvement. The wider application of remote control and automation processes is another area of possible research.

 

The reliability of mining systems area hopes to attract research into improving the design of underground equipment to maximise safety, fitness for purpose, reliability and maintainability. Other highlighted areas include increasing the uptake and reliability of sensors, monitoring systems and communications capabilities.

 

The underground committee has also highlighted the growing importance of water in all stages of winning and processing coal, as well as in mine rehabilitation. ACARP recently commissioned a study to define the technical issues and opportunities facing the industry with respect to water. The study Water and its use in the Coal Industry: Scoping Study, may be obtained from ACARP.

 

“Any proposed research project that is strongly supported by a mine site and is of interest to a number of coal operations will be well received,” ACARP said.

 

Another area is Market Support, related to the marketing of Australian coal in the context of sustainable development. Proposals are invited addressing issues relevant to the major markets for Australian coals, electricity generation and iron production. Areas include work to understand the properties of Australian coals which impact on utilisation performance and market acceptance; developing new test procedures where Australian coals appear to be disadvantaged by current procedures and practices.

 

In the area of Greenhouse Gas Mitigation, ACARP said it was interested in research into the capture of mine gas and projects to reduce gas drainage costs, maximise pre-mining gas recovery, improve the quality and consistency of mine gas production, assess the potential impacts of pre-drainage on safety and productivity.

 

The closing date for funding proposals is May 26.

 

* ACARP is a collaborative program entirely funded, owned and managed by Australian black coal producers. Further details on submitting research proposals can be obtained from www.acarp.com.au