The award, announced at the Minerals Council’s second annual NSW Mining Suppliers Awards held in Sydney, and was presented by NSW Resources and Energy Minister Chris Hartcher.

In addition, Sandvik Mining was runner-up in the Manufacturing and Engineering category for its MB Series AutoBolt eBox rock-bolting system –which was invented and developed in Australia.

Sandvik Mining’s AutoCut system is an automated cutting system for miner bolter operations, designed to provide a consistent interaction with the coal seam and the mining horizon.

Originally developed at Centennial Coal’s Mandalong Mine, southwest of Newcastle, AutoCut was adapted to overcome issues with poorly cut and uneven floors – which resulted in equipment damage, potential slips and falls for personnel, and reduced coal clearance speeds.

Since AutoCut was introduced at Mandalong in 2009, monthly production records have increased to well over 40% since the AutoCut introduction; slips, trips and falls have been reduced by 60%; and incidents/near misses involving development panels have been reduced by over 80% per month.

With the smoother roadway, there has been a marked reduction in rubber-tyred vehicle fatigue and jarring injuries to passengers and operators, and damage previously attributed to rough roadways, wear and tear on vehicles, while re-work and road works has been reduced 50%.

Since the development of AutoCut, Sandvik Mining has established a Miner-Bolter User Group, aimed at delivering the benefits of the system to other mines in Australia, and setting up networking opportunities among mine personnel, from managers to operators.

According to Sandvik Mining global automation manager Rowan Melrose, all Sandvik Miner Bolters can be upgraded to AutoCut with a small software upgrade, along with implementation of a minesite-based process control to ensure improved safety, development and sustainability.

“We expect that all Sandvik Mining MB Series machines will at some point in the future operate in AutoCut mode as standard – with manual operation being the exception,” he said.

“For underground coal mine operations, the benefits will continue to multiply as this technology optimisation process continues to roll out.”