The relevant NSW website did not have a safety alert available on the matter yesterday, which was also noted by Queensland government safety officials, but PPK revealed that an alert had been issued to mines.
“In consultation with the Department of Trade and Investment, PPK Mining Equipment Pty Ltd has issued a safety bulletin to all of the underground coal mines in NSW operating Coaltram LHDs with regard to a throttle pedal issue,” PPK told ICN yesterday afternoon.
“It has been the recommendation of PPK and the DTI that all the mines conduct a risk assessment in relation to the continued operation of the Coaltram.
“It is our understanding that the mines are presently conducting this risk assessment and the bulk of the Coaltrams remain in service. PPK Mining Equipment Pty Ltd is cooperating fully with the DTI and all of the mines that operate Coaltram LHDs.”
PPK said it intended to have the problem rectified within the next 10 days.
“This affects about 90 operating Coaltram in NSW and Queensland and we will be upgrading them all,” the company said.
An industry source told ICN that the safety alert impacted BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal, Glencore’s Tahmoor longwall mine and Centennial Coal and Yancoal operations, which depend on Coaltrams for underground works.
