In September 2006, Yancoal Australia’s Austar Mine will commence longwall production using the innovative Longwall Top Coal Caving (LTCC) Technique. This is the first time that this technology has been used outside of China, where there has been a very successful track record in extracting thick seam coal reserves. The leaders in applying the LTCC technology are the Yanzhou Coal Mining Company, owners of Yancoal Australia. Yanzhou have 6 underground mines each with production exceeding 7 million tones/annum employing LTCC exclusively.

Yancoal Australia Pty Ltd authorized DBT to complete LTCC Face in May 2005, will be undertaking complete compatibility checks of the system during June, this includes the Shields, AFC, BSL, Monorail, Pumps and Electrical Supply.

The Open Day is planned for the Industry to view this equipment at DBT at Hexham prior to being transported and installed underground at Austar Coal Mine. Some of the features of the LTCC will not be able to be viewed in the underground environment, so the Open Day will provide government officials and mining personnel a better understanding of the technique and equipment layout.

Yancoal, DBT, Austar, SES and Ampcontrol personnel will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate the equipment.

澳思达煤矿开放日新闻片断(wmv 文件 9.61Mb)