Published in September 2006 Australian Longwall Magazine
Valley Longwall kicked off its business in the Hunter Valley 10 years ago, working initially at the Dartbrook coal mine carrying out in-seam directional drilling, rotary drilling, secondary support, ventilation and services work.
The company today has three divisions servicing the Australian coal industry out of its corporate office in Sydney, as well as a factory, warehouse and showroom facility in the Beijing Development Area (BDA) to serve the Chinese market.
“Utilising our unique position as the largest supplier of in-seam directional drilling services in the world as a springboard to opportunity in both Australia and overseas markets (especially China), Valley has managed to mould itself into a coal industry-focused supplier of world-class products and services,” Valley Longwall managing director Chris Freer said.
The directional drilling and mining services division is made up of Valley Longwall Drilling, which supplies in-seam directional and rotary drilling services, secondary support, maintenance services, ventilation installation, conveyor installation and maintenance services to the Australian coal sector.
The division is managed by Stuart Sulter as general manager of southern operations (New South Wales), Steve Finch as general manager of northern operations and Dave Hick as general manager of outbye and conveyor services.
Also making up the division is Valley Longwall Engineering and NBM Sheetmetal and Maintenance.
These specialised engineering and fabrication companies are focused on designing and manufacturing the company’s directional and rotary drilling systems, as well as other specialised products for the underground coal mining and coal washery sectors.
With its focus set on overseas markets, Valley Longwall Drilling Systems International rounds out the division by supplying directional drilling services, equipment and technical expertise into overseas underground coal mining markets.
Valley Longwall created its diesel division this year through a series of acquisitions of established companies in the underground coal sector. The diesel arm supplies flameproof, approved rubber tyred diesel equipment worldwide into the underground coal mining sector through these companies: Specialised Mining Vehicles, Specialised Mining Equipment and Juganaut Industries.
Specialised Mining Vehicles supplies the well-known Driftrunner man carrier and utility vehicle, as well as the 4-tonne light utility/loader vehicle – the Brumby.
Specialised Mining Equipment supplies a range of flameproof, approved rubber tyred diesel equipment for short- and long-term hire, as well as replacement vehicles to mines during refurbishments and codes.
Juganaut Industries supplies the Utility Vehicle/Utility Loader with its cutting edge, compact, supercharged Hino engine. The loader features 10t capacity and fork/bucket capability.
Valley Longwall’s third arm, the conveyor division, already boasts a strong relationship with BHP Billiton, and coal and steel loading facilities. The division supplies conveyor equipment, belting and associated mining products and is primarily focused on coal and coal-related industries such as steel.
Pittop is the company’s leading wholesaler of conveyor components and conveyor belts, primarily focused on the maintenance and service market for conveyor belts. It is also the largest independent distributor of conveyor components, with an extensive range of conveyor belts, FRAS belts and conveyor components.
Under the conveyor banner, Tyton manufactures conveyor rollers and idlers and Unirod offers a large range of miscellaneous mining-related equipment, including ventilation ducting, Fire Resistant Anti-Static (FRAS) hosing and general mining hardware.
Valley Longwall Mining Equipment (Beijing) is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise set up in China by the Valley Longwall Group to showcase its products to the Chinese coal mining industry. It also has a warehouse to support its drilling and diesel-related products in China.
“This is unique in being the first facility of its kind to offer a showroom opportunity for new underground mining equipment manufactured in Australia. The facility also offers Valley Longwall the opportunity to carry out final assembly in China on some product lines, and a refurbishment facility for repair and maintenance work on our equipment operating in China,” Freer said.
