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?

The application of LTCC could significantly improve the viability of longwall extraction of thick coal seams in Australia, where the reserves may have been marginal at extraction heights practical with conventional longwall equipment. The development to extraction ratio is also positively influenced by application of LTCC.

The jury is still out on the success and applicability of this method in Australia but it could provide a viable alternative to conventional longwall technology in many applications. MCS is currently undertaking a study on the application of LTCC in central Queensland.

The application of the first 400m. long face at Ulan may be the fore runner of several face extension projects (depending on the results achieved at Ulan).

The main benefits are reduced development to extraction, reduced frequency of face moves (and therefore higher productivity) and improved reserve recovery. The increased capital requirement for long faces would further increase the hurdle height for mine production from longwall mines. In some seams with poor roof conditions longer faces may not be viable. This may change the competitiveness of some mines. MCS was involved with the justification study for the Ulan face.

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?

These companies generally have a greater need to use consultants as they have less capacity to conduct mine feasibility and design studies in-house. The implication is that consultants are often asked to undertake a complete service from mine inception through to implementation.

The expectations of investors with little or no mining or resource experience has to be handled in a professional and objective manor where the consultants appraisal of the viability of a deposit may not be favourable. The number of projects being evaluated is putting further strain on an already tight market for technical expertise and resources.

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

The research into clean coal technology is of vital importance to the long term sustainability of the industry. The political profile of Global Warming will have an increasing impact on the coal industry and long term solutions must be found and proven quickly.

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

We think greater emphasis needs to be placed on understanding the mechanism and reasons for failure rather than just implementing a denser support pattern. Increasing support is putting greater stress on development rates.

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?

We see an increasing tendency for resource companies to look at the consultant as a partner in a particular sector of their business. For example MCS has several strategic partnerships with major international companies for Production Optimisation and Continual Improvement. This assists the client to achieve its CI objectives quickly and in a sustainable manor.