Danny started his mining life in 1974 as an apprentice fitter and turner to W.M. Mqueen and Co, owners of Box Flat Extended Colliery and one of the first mechanised mines in Queensland. At his time at Box Flat he saw several new style of machines introduced to improve production, including the first Flexible Conveyor train (FCT)in Australia.
With a downturn in the industry the mines in Ipswich eventually closed and Box Flat finished mid-1987 after almost 100 years production. Danny moved onto the longwall at Capcoal Central and then moved to Capcoal Southern when it opened in 1989. He spent a further six years at Central in engineering positions.
In 1995 he moved south of the border to the Hunter Valley, where he joined Wambo mining’s Homestead mine as longwall engineer, before moving into a new role at Wollemi mine in 1999.
In 2000 Danny took up the position of longwall engineer at the Oakbridge owned South Bulga mine, and then moved across the new Beltana mine, now owned by Xstrata. “Here at Beltana I look forward to being part of the team that breaks all Australian records in safety and low cost coal production,” he said.
In his spare time Danny takes frequent trips to Fraser Island and also incorporates fresh water fishing for Bass in camping trips.
ILN:What is your earliest mining memory?
DT: Standing on pit top at Box Flat mine near Ipswich, waiting for my Dad to surface on a coal skip. I was watching into the darkness to see the crew of lights.
ILN: What made you choose mining as a career?
DT: Growing up in Ipswich, Queensland, a predominant mining town at that time. My father was a miner. He worked the West Morten fields from around the late 1940’s. I always talked about it with mates at school who have done the same and continue to work in the industry.
ILN: What was your favourite job in a coal mine?
DT: Preparing for and completing longwall moves.
ILN: What was your least favourite job?
DT: Working night shift any where.
ILN: Who, or what, has most influenced your mining career?
DT: Politics. Having to relocate to different mining towns following work.
ILN: What do you consider your best mining achievement?
DT: Being part of teams that have high expectations of now and the future.
ILN: What do you see as being the greatest mining development during your career?
DT: Longwall face automation. This will be refined and refined. Operators will demand automation be installed and operating on all longwalls eventually. Automated does not mean unmanned.
ILN: Do you hold any mining records?
DT: Stay tuned.
ILN: Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?
DT: I would like to work in a high producing American Longwall mine.
ILN: What was your most embarrassing moment in a coal mine?
DT: I ‘m sure some one knows that already.
ILN: What was your scariest time in a coal mine?
DT: As an apprentice I would be sent with another apprentice into old workings to check on pumps. The roadways in those old working were like something you would see in a movie. Large rocks and rib spall - cobwebs all around. Large timber legs bowed and cracked with heavy roof forcing them down. We spent the least amount of time in there as possible.
ILN: What is your worst memory of coal mining?
DT: Fatality. Losing good mates.
ILN: Do you think that the day of the fully automated remotely operated face is near?
DT: A fully automated face is just around the corner. Remote operation is a separate issue. It would be possible but not without people monitoring every move.
ILN: What major improvements would you like to see on longwall operations?
DT: Dust suppression built into the machines. Shearers and roof supports.
