BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal awarded Joy Mining Machinery the contract for a new Joy longwall mining system for delivery in December 2003 at its West Cliff Colliery operation, located in the Southern Coal Field of New South Wales.
West Cliff Colliery’s selection of the new Joy longwall system is based on a reduction in seam height from 3 to 2.7 metres.
At the same time the mine wants to increase longwall output to 3 million tonnes per year, with a peak capability of 2,500 tonnes per hour and an average production of 2,000 tonnes per hour.
The equipment will first undergo compatibility trials at Joy’s facility in the United Kingdom in preparation for installation and training in December 2003, with full production expected in February 2004.
In a recent rebuild, the existing Joy 4LS5 shearer was upgraded to 3300 volt JNA Control System and will operate alternately with the original West Cliff Joy 4LS5 exchange machine. This machine had been upgraded to the 3300 volt JNA Control System with slower-speed 375kW ranging arms.
The new Joy equipment includes 170 two-leg 1,000 tonne roof supports, 1.75 metres wide with a minimum closed height of 1800mm and a maximum extension of 3300mm. Working height is anticipated to be within 2400 and 3000mm.
The armoured face conveyor is driven by an L1000 BP gearbox on the tail gate and an L1000 EP gearbox on the main (head) gate, for a combined continuous rating of 1710kW, and has a capacity of 2,945 tonnes per hour.
The Joy Ultratrac 2000 haulage, with a Parson’s 48mm twin centre chain, features Turbo Technology Transmission (TTT) Soft Start drainable couplings and Safeset torque limiting couplings with 1756mm pans and a 1100mm raceway.
The new beam stage loader is rated at 3,522 tonnes per hour with a continuous rating of 375kW, and is fitted with a 34mm twin mid-board chain. The 3,000 tonne per hour rotary impact crusher has a continuous rating of 375kW.
Joy also will furnish the pump stations, a monorail line-handling system, and all the electrical and electronic components.
