Underground
Our underground health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives include strengthening ventilation and gas management technology, minimising risks from fires and explosions, advancing emergency response technologies, reducing operating costs and improving reliability of subsidence predictions.
Maintenance (40 Reports)
| Get Report |
| C27075 | 30/06/2019 |
| Author: Paul Wilson, Long Giang, David Apolo | Mining3 |
The objectives of this project were to identify potential algorithms to allow machine learning to be used to render the system capable of making its own adjustments during commissioning and during operation. A thorough literature review at the start revealed that the approaches that .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C17011 | 01/11/2011 |
| Author: David Cusack, Guan Zhiqiang, Barend J. Pienaar, Allan Boughen, Paul Lever | CRCMining |
An ongoing trend in longwall mine planning is to demand longer, higher capacity and lower profile Armoured Face Conveyors (AFC). The ACARP Landmark Automation project evaluation of downtime statistics from two Australian Longwall mines showed that AFC and BSL (Beam Stage Loader) chain .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C33016 | 06/04/2022 |
| Author: Tony Goodwin | Palaris Australia |
The project objective was to produce a study that highlights the challenges, impacts and solutions for charging infrastructure to operate Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) underground. The project provides a report and work booklet relating to Battery Electrical Vehicle (BEV) charging .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C5020 | 01/04/1998 |
| Author: Shaouki Ismail | Vipac Engineers & Scientists |
Idler bearing failure on underground conveyors is a significant problem in the Coal Industry. Trunk conveyors in underground coal mines have around 5000 idler bearings per kilometre. .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C14020 | 01/05/2007 |
| Author: Mary Ng | CRCMining |
Improvement in equipment availability is recognised as a key factor to maximise returns from Australian longwall mining assets. Previous analysis of LW equipment downtime identified the shearer as a significant contributor to this situation. This project set out to build .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C3028 | 15/12/1994 |
| Author: Mark Downey | BHP Research |
This project was the first stage of a research program which has as its primary aim the introduction and development of condition based monitoring (CBM) maintenance practices into underground coal mining operations. The project was conducted by BHP Research in collaboration with BHP Steel, .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C29009 | 26/08/2024 |
| Author: Peter Stepien | ResTech |
There have been an increasing number of electric shock incidents reported during switching of electrical equipment in systems where no faults were present. These electric shocks occurred during closing and opening of circuit breakers and contactors. A mechanism has been identified for .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C3064 | 01/04/2022 |
| Author: Alex Harrison | Conveyor Technologies |
The primary aim of this project was to investigate the relationship between, drive slip, wrap angle and drum friction co efficient and how this relationship is affected by the shear characteristics of the materials involved. This project was undertaken because .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C3018 | 25/11/1996 |
| Author: Alan Roberts | University of Newcastle, Centre for Bulk Solids & Particulate |
In coal mining operations, materials handling constitutes a major component of the production costs. Belt conveyors play a central role in the mining, processing, storage and transportation of coal. It is essential that they operate efficiently with maximum availability and with a .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C22013 | 01/03/2015 |
| Author: Xing Li, Yong Sun | CSIRO |
This ACARP project was mainly aimed at developing a computer-based tool to help operators of continuous miners and longwall shearers more accurately evaluate the reliability of picks in uncertain coal mining environments for optimal operation and maintenance. Rock properties and pick .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C24066 | 10/08/2017 |
| Author: Rajiv Shekar, Enver Bajram and Felipe Renon | Mining3, The University of Queensland |
Since a high profile incident in 1998, where two widely deployed IS certified power supplies failed an intrinsic safety retest (Bell and Hookham, 1999), ACARP has funded numerous research projects investigating options for improving IS certification and testing procedures - especially with a .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C4020 | 01/10/1996 |
| Author: Peter Georgiou | VIPAC Engineers & Scientists |
The principal aim of this 18 month Phase A Research Project was to demonstrate the feasibility of an in-belt transducer system for conveyor belt condition monitoring. This has been successfully accomplished. .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C6040 | 01/06/1998 |
| Author: Peter Georgiou | VIPAC Engineers & Scientists |
The principal aim of this project was to demonstrate a prototype working in-belt transducer system for conveyor belt condition monitoring. The "in-belt" transducer system which is the subject of this study has the potential to provide continuous monitoring of a conveyor for .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C24014 | 21/06/2018 |
| Author: Paul Wilson, Edward Prochon, Fernando Vieira, Tim Brooks, Long Giang, Mohammad Amanzadeh, Scott Adam and Saiied Aminossadati | The University of Queensland |
CRC Mining have investigated the application of fibre optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for conveyor roller condition monitoring. This is the final report of project C24014. Monitoring by means of acoustic distributed sensing can be achieved by using a single fibre optic cable .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C25054 | 15/06/2018 |
| Author: Paul Wilson, Tim Brooks, Karsten Hoehn, Long Giang, Fernando Vieira | Mining3 |
This project is phase 2 of the distributed acoustic sensing project aimed at developing a technology for monitoring the condition of conveyor belts using fibre optics. Phase 1 (published as C24014), was a proof of concept phase which ended with a demonstration that an acoustic interrogator .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C26057 | 15/05/2019 |
| Author: Galina Mirzaeva, Peter Stepien | The University of Newcastle, ResTech |
Common-mode-voltage (CMV) is known for creating bearing currents and electromagnetic interference (EMI) in industrial applications. Additionally, in underground earthing and protection environment, CMV has important safety implications. These are associated with potentially undetected fault .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C21017 | 01/06/2013 |
| Author: Varun Rao, Daya Dayawansa, Damon Honnery, Scot Sharman, Gil Garnier & Paul Curcio | Monash University |
Diesel particulate matter (DPM) control at underground coal mines has been an ongoing concern for some time, but mine operators have recently begun to take proactive approaches to improve the air quality in the mine atmosphere. Although there are other methods of reducing particulate emissions .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C23011 | 01/07/2015 |
| Author: Daniel Carpenter | BMT WBM |
A common hydraulic fitting used in longwall systems is the Staple Loc type, available in many sizes from numerous manufacturers. A typical longwall installation might use in excess of 10,000 staples, with every one potentially subject to fatigue failure. Industry wide expectation for .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C14018 | 01/12/2006 |
| Author: Daniel Bongers | CRCMining |
In this project we have developed a computer program for recording detailed information relating to face equipment downtime in longwall mining operations. This software is intended to replace the current manual recording of delay information, which has been proven to be inaccurate. .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C9013 | 01/07/2003 |
| Author: Daniel Bongers, Hal Gurgenci | CRC Mining |
In this project we have developed a computer method for on-line analysis of trend monitoring data to detect and locate face equipment faults. The definition of a fault in the context of this project is any event that causes a production stoppage and downtime. The performance of the method was .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C26070 | 14/04/2020 |
| Author: Nick Coplin | Orbital Australia |
The need to protect workers from diesel particulate matter (DPM) had led the underground coal mining industry to install disposable filter systems on their vehicles. This project has progressed the industrialisation of the wall-flow DPF system with additional site work, assessments of .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C19012 | 01/03/2013 |
| Author: Ron McPhee | CSIRO |
In this project a robust transparent optically clear touch screen overlay was developed and prepared for intrinsically safe (Ex ia) certification for use in underground coal mines. The design process concentrated on the following aspects of the product; suitability for .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C10021 | 01/04/2005 |
| Author: Hal Gurgenci, Zhiquiang Guan, David Proud | CRCMining, WBM |
This report addresses the problems of low utilization of the face equipment in Australia longwall mines by analyzing the failure data collected in Moranbah North longwall face equipment. The primary source for determining the production delays has been the ASI databases provided by Moranbah .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C24007 | 01/11/2017 |
| Author: Henry Bartosiewicz | Asset Performance Improvement |
The risk of serious injury resulting from the uncontrolled release of high pressure hydraulic fluids is of ongoing concern in the longwall operations as there have been several fatal accidents and number of near miss incidents reported over the last 20 years. All mines must recognise the .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C28005 | 01/02/2021 |
| Author: Ryan Norris, Mark Walter | Vayeron |
The objective of this project was to prototype, test, develop and manufacture a low cost wireless, intrinsically safe sensor for use in underground coal mines. The focus was to produce a sensor which would be initially applied as an inclinometer for deployment on the longwall and that would .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C3061 | 01/02/1995 |
| Author: Michael Withford, M Pemberton | Price Waterhouse Urwick |
The objective of this study was to determine and critically evaluate the characteristics of maintenance in the mines. A key output was to be a concise set of performance indicators. Information for the study was first collected .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C13027 | 01/12/2005 |
| Author: Bulent Tiryaki | CRCMining |
CRCMining has developed the Cutting Head Performance Analysis Software (CPAS) to predict cutter motor power, ranging arm reaction forces, and vibrations for different drum designs, coal seams, and shearer operational conditions. This project describes the work on THE DBT EL3000 shearer .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C28025 | 23/04/2021 |
| Author: David Orn Johannesson, Edward Prochon, David Apollo Cando & Karsten Hoehn | Mining3 |
This project describes the fourth phase of the Condition Conveyor Monitoring System (CCMS) using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) methodology. The previous research phases were Phase 1 [C24014] which demonstrated the feasibility of the system. Phase 2 [C25054] demonstrated proof of concept .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C18020 | 17/02/2016 |
| Author: Bruce Louden | Big Tyre |
The coal industry was keen to find an alternative to using solid wheels on loaders used in harsh mining conditions where pneumatic tyres were unsuitable. To that end Big Tyre researched what could be done to develop a mechanically suspended tyre. After significant materials .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C26056 | 01/10/2019 |
| Author: Russell Smith | Quantise Consulting Engineers |
This project aimed to establish if longwalls with Hi-Set systems could successfully operate with much lower main emulsion system pressures. Reducing the main emulsion system pressure would reduce the safety hazards associated with high levels of energy stored in the longwall hoses. The stored .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C26059 | 19/06/2019 |
| Author: Rajiv Shekhar | Mining3 |
This project continued a long running research program into an electronic spark tester (EST) for methane based (gas group I) hazardous area applications. The EST is an alternative to the Spark Test Apparatus (STA), mandated by the IEC standard 60079-11 for spark ignition testing, a requirement .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C5421 | 01/12/1999 |
| Author: Richard Danell, Mark Downey | BHP |
This report presents the results of the development of a radio based system for the reliable transmission of condition monitoring data of a bandwidth of up to 10 kHz from a piece of mobile mining machinery to a location outside of the operations path of the unit and associated equipment. .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C25070 | 03/05/2017 |
| Author: Daniel Carpenter | BMT WBM |
The condition of roadways in underground mines is of great importance, and currently also a research priority for ACARP. Maintaining good roads is particularly difficult at intersections where machines perform tight turns. Shuttle cars operate frequently at these locations hence the cornering .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C17020 | 01/01/2013 |
| Author: Henry Bartosiewicz | Maintenance Technology Institute, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Monash University |
The Stage One report is attached to the Stage Two Report available here. The longwall pressurised fluid power systems are a potential major hazard that may result in fatal injuries if they are not properly controlled and maintained. The objective of this project was to assist the mine .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C25071 | 01/04/2018 |
| Author: Ian Stevenson | BMT WBM |
BMT have designed and manufactured an instrumented load sensing pin for the purpose of evaluating tow force data under typical underground operating conditions and various towing configurations. Unfortunately, due to mine constraints, data was only able to be acquired under a single towing .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C13017 | 01/02/2007 |
| Author: Ron McPhee, Peter Henderson, Philip Teakle | CSIRO Exploration & Mining, Beltana Highwall Mining |
The necessary technologies and manufacturing processes required to successfully manufacture a large see-through flameproof enclosure cover have been identified and developed. Prototype transparent covers were manufactured and static pressure tested to the maximum pressure required for .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C27019 | 27/06/2020 |
| Author: Michael Christian | AMM Product Development |
The project objectives were to: - Develop a prototype machine for transporting people in an underground coal mine;
- Test the practical application of compressed air engines as a replacement for existing diesel-powered transport;
- Prove this technology can travel
.... read more |
| Get Report |
| C23005 | 15/05/2017 |
| Author: Bipin Parmar, David Turner and David Soady | Simtars |
The potential for a gas or dust explosion arising from hot work and welding repair of certified flameproof equipment in underground coal mines is fairly high. In order to reduce the need for such hot work, underground coal mine operators initiated a request to study the behaviour of .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C8004 | 03/05/2002 |
| Author: Andre DeKock, Jim Birch | SIMTARS |
The aim of this project is to verify the use of a Spark Test Apparatus (STA) for use at higher currents than currently set out in the standard IEC 60079.3. This was to be achieved through the use of a different electrode to that specified in the International Electrotechnical Commission .... read more |
| Get Report |
| C25073 | 01/11/2016 |
| Author: Nick Coplin | Orbital Australia |
ACARP project C25073 was proposed by industry stakeholders seeking a potential solution that both improves worker health through improved underground air quality and reduces operational costs associated with currently implemented technology used to control diesel particulate emissions in that .... read more |