ACARP

Australian Roadway Development

Improvement Project

Strategy Workshop

April 2007

Australian Coal Association Research ProgramAustralian Coal Association Research Program

ACARP Project C15005 2

BARRIERS TO ROADWAY DEVELOPMENT

Barriers to improved roadway development performance were ranked by participants in the March 2007 Roadway Development Workshops

Participants also identified a number of potential solutions to overcome key barriers

The Roadway Development Task Group reviewed the top 10 barriers and solutions when formulating a roadway development improvement research strategy

The top 10 barriers, solutions and proposed research strategy are outlined over

Comments and suggestions are invited from industry regarding the proposed research strategy

ACARP Project C15005 3

TOP 10 BARRIERS TO DEVELOPMENT

1. Availability of continuous miners

2. Speed and ease of operation of bolting rigs

3. Delays in panel and outbye conveyors

4. Skill level of operators and trades

5. Planning and coordination

6. Environmental conditions in the immediate work area

7. Number &/or availability of on-board bolting rigs

8. Cutting and loading capacity and fitness for purpose of CMs

9. Face supervision

10. Manning levels &/or absenteeism

ACARP Project C15005 4

AVAILABILITY OF CONTINUOUS MINERS

Potential improvements and solutions identified:

Proactive maintenance

Fit for purpose equipment

Design of machinery for improved availability

Replace ageing equipment

Research to identify best practices maintenance

Maintenance training

More resources to maintain equipment

Develop a maintenance management strategy to maximise uptime

ACARP Project C15005 5

EASE OF OPERATION OF ROOF BOLTERS

Potential improvements and solutions identified:

Automated bolters

Self drilling bolts

Single pass bolting

Improved ergonomics

Better maintenance

Higher engineering skill levels

ACARP Project C15005 6

DELAYS ON PANEL & OUTBYE CONVEYORS

Potential improvements and solutions identified:

Higher standards of installation

Condition monitoring of components

Improved maintenance

Higher standards of housekeeping

Higher standards of belt cleaning

Audit delay causes

Repair and replace substandard belting, structure and equipment

ACARP Project C15005 7

SKILL LEVELS OF TRADES & OPERATORS

Potential improvements and solutions identified:

More training

Apprentices and mining cadets

Better recruitment and selection

Use of training simulators

Accreditation of skills across industry

Technical college training

Training mine

ACARP Project C15005 8

PLANNING AND CO ORDINATION

Potential improvements and solutions identified:

Standardise planning systems - Ultimine type systems

Better defined accountabilities and authorities

Training in planning and scheduling

Rigorous understanding of planning throughout mine

Commitment to planning and execution from all shifts

Correct people as Supervisors with correct tools

Establish expectations & monitor performance against plans

ACARP Project C15005 9

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS - FACE AREA

Potential improvements and solutions identified:

Higher standards of housekeeping

Larger diameter ventilation ducting

Higher standards of roadway maintenance

Improved management of face water

Use of monorails for cables, hose and ducting

Improved ergonomics on face equipment

Networking issues between mines with similar issues

ACARP Project C15005 10

NUMBER & AVAILABILITY OF BOLTING RIGS

Potential improvements and solutions identified: Increased number of bolters

Continue to upgrade bolters

Improved ergonomics

Automation/engineering solutions – eg; internal porting to remove hoses

Condition monitoring

Equipment design for serviceability and ease of changeout

CM design for large flat work platform

ACARP Project C15005 11

CUTTING & LOADING CAPACITY OF CM

Potential improvements and solutions identified:

Fitness for purpose - cut height, rib protection

Application, specification and accountability

Better geological data for equipment specification

Micro-manage engineering capabilities to achieve optimum output

Research into machine design

Tunnel boring machine adapted to coal mining environment

ACARP Project C15005 12

FACE SUPERVISION

Potential improvements and solutions identified: Define roles, authority, accountabilities and

responsibilities

Personnel development programs, with coaching and mentoring

Targeted training and development

Training in leadership, supervision, motivation, planning and scheduling

Managing poor performance

Recruitment and selection

Develop key personnel to lead rather than supervise

ACARP Project C15005 13

MANNING LEVELS / ABSENTEEISM

Potential improvements and solutions identified: Prioritise work tasks and assign labour accordingly

Optimum/maximum number in crews

Pool of skilled trades

Self managed teams

Rotation of tasks

Fatigue policy

Overtime policy

Quality of life – employ the right people

ACARP Project C15005 14

OTHER ISSUES FROM RDTG

Mine planning

Software for planning and process simulation

Panel advances

Logistics

ACARP Project C15005 15

WORKSHOP DISCUSSION OUTCOMES Immediate (1 year project)

“project management” systems for roadway development (including maintenance)

“fundamentals of roadway development” handbook process model for development management structure, style and skills; functional specification for “CM 2010”

Medium term (2-4 years) - “CM 2010 project” (similar to LW project) components can be retrofitted to current generation machines automated bolting system alternate skin reinforcement and rib confinement services

Longer term (+5 years) - “continuous mining system” integrated system incorporating cutting, loading, conveying, support,

and logistics flowing on from CM 2010 project

ACARP Project C15005 16

WHAT DID WE FORGET?

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