China’s underground coal industry is increasingly using western-style mining methods to overcome frequent and devastating mining accidents. Most of these are related to poor gas management techniques, lack of ventilation or inadequate drainage ahead of mining.

Over the last 18 months AMT delivered three Directional Drill Monitor (DDM MECCA) systems to Shanxi Asian American-Daning Energy (SAADEC), which operates the Daning mine. SAADEC is 56% owned by Asian American Coal (AACI), with Jincheng Daning Coal Company (36%) and Shanxi Coal Transportation and Sales Corporation (8%).

Most recently orders were placed by the Jincheng Coal Bureau for delivery of two of the new DGS systems, one of which will go to the Sihe coal mine.

Like its predecessor – the DDM MECCA - the DGS has an Intrinsically Safe (IS) electronic package permanently located in the drill rods immediately behind the down-hole motor.

The DGS measures the magnetic direction (or azimuth), inclination and rotation upon operator request. This data is transmitted through the drill rods via AMT’s proprietary MECCA data transmission system. The operator’s console or up-hole computer calculates the position of the survey tool and provides the operator with relative positional data to enable the accurate steering of the bore-hole.

The survey data is displayed on the DGS up-hole computer in colour graphical as well as numerical format, including up/down deviation, left/right deviation, down track and real-time tool face.

New features on the DGS include real-time battery management, data transmission signal analysis, real-time tool face and a two-way hand held IS wireless data disk for transfer of hole data files to and from the surface. In addition, the DGS is designed for the interface of the optional AMT Focussed Gamma Sensor for roof and floor detection, as well as other geophysical sensors and drill rig monitoring packages as they become available.

The new DGS is available in both IS version for use in underground coal mines and in non-IS format for surface to seam or horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations.

Since the release of the DGS late last year, AMT has delivered six units to Australian customers and one to North America. Australian customers to upgrade to the DGS include BHP Billiton’s Appin and Westcliff collieries, Excel Coal’s Metropolitan colliery, Tahmoor Coal and drilling contractor AJ Lucas Coal Technologies.

In the Chinese market AMT, together with in-seam directional drilling specialist Valley Longwall Drilling, offer a complete drilling package.

“This includes the purpose-built underground long hole drill manufactured by VLD together with all in hole equipment, such as the specialised AMT steering tools. Initial and ongoing on site training and support is part of the deal,” said AMT’s marketing director Tom Gilpin.

The package is sold through AMT’s agent in China, Wadam Industries which has 12 years marketing and product support experience in that country.

Gilpin said AMT and VLD’s approach to the Chinese market was to advise potential clients about the use and applicability of the technology in specific circumstances.