New and innovative technologies were discussed on pull and shear testing of tendons, which included the University of Wollongong double shear method of testing cable bolts for shear under frictionless condition, and without the concrete joint surfaces contacting each other, he told International Coal News.

“A significant share of the conference papers were on mine geotechnique, ground control and rock bolting load transfer mechanism by both pull testing and sharing techniques, bolt installation by spin and stall systems, and bolt corrosion and corrosion resistance support systems,” Aziz said.

“Almost 55% of the papers were geotechnical based and nearly 30% on gas drainage and outburst control and the rest on mine safety issues. Fifteen per cent of the papers came from surface mining and highwall mining operations.”

Aziz said the conference ended in a positive note, with 42 papers being presented over 10 technical sessions out of a total of 51 papers, and almost 130 people attending the conference.

“This year there was a significant number of field study based papers, both from underground and surface mining operations, covering a wide range of topics on mine ventilation, gas drainage, gas pressure and stress related outburst papers, geotechnical and ground control and various mine safety issues,” he said.

“The conference duration was extended from its initial two days to three days, because of the exceptionally good quality papers.”

At the Conference dinner several awards were given. Director of PDR Engineers Dr Terry Medhurst was the recipient of the conference trophy for his excellent paper on investigation into roof support behaviour at Grasstree mine.

Dr Jan Nemcik was recognised for his outstanding and continuing contribution to the Coal Operators’ Conference editorial and technical committee, Kevin Marston was also recognised for his dedication to mining engineering training at the UOW and for his voluntary services with the conference financial management.

Three bolting and resin manufacturing companies, DSI, Jennmar and Minova, were recognised for their continuing support of the Coal Operators’ Conference and for continued support of research on rock reinforcement technologies.

The last day of the conference ended with a BBQ at the $65 million state-of-the art UOW Smart building, where the delegates had the opportunity of looking around the workshops and research facilities used for mining and geotechnical research.

The next Coal Operators Conference (Coal 2017) is scheduled for February 8-10, 2017.

The proceedings papers of the Coal 2016 will shortly go online via http://ro.uow.edu.au/coal.