Miner with longwall shearer

Providing engineering solutions to coal mining problems

We work closely with the coal-mining industry and other groups to investigate and solve site-based issues.

• 2 February 2006 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Dust control
• Spontaneous combustion
• Longwall top coal caving
• Roadway development

Dust control

Reducing dust exposure of personnel is a challenging and sensitive issue for mine management. Current methods to reduce dust exposure need further development.

We are developing technologies to reduce the exposure of mine personnel to dust from coal-cutting activities by eliminating dust migration. Reducing dust in working areas will:

• improve the health and safety of personnel working in mines
• significantly improve the morale of the workforce
• increase production levels.

Spontaneous combustion

With the expansion of the Australian coal industry, the incidence of spontaneous combustion (sponcom) has increased substantially in recent years. In the USA and Australia, a number of sponcom incidents have closed mines for up to twelve months, making this a major issue facing the industry worldwide.

We are developing modelling techniques to improve fire control methods by testing the effect of different mining and operating conditions.

We are developing innovative detection tools for locating and controlling sponcom and fires. These tools will have substantial safety, productivity and financial benefits for the coal industry.

Longwall top coal caving

Australia has an estimated resource of 70 billion tonnes of coal, of which 6.4 billion tonnes is located in thick seams. Extraction of this resource can be substantially increased using the longwall top coal caving (LTCC) method.

Current Australian longwall mining operations extract only 4.5–4.8 m of coal from thick seams. However, the LTCC method can extract seams up to 12 m in thickness.

We are using geotechnical and environmental modelling to simulate mining effects under Australian conditions. This will help us develop tools and technologies to facilitate the application of the LTCC method in Australia.

Roadway development

The highest priority for the underground coal industry is improving the rate of roadway development.

CSIRO, in partnership with the Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL) and the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP), have designed and are constructing a new Autonomous Conveying Bolting Machine (ACBM).

The ACBM aims to triple current roadway development rates. The key to achieving this goal has been the development of a one-step, chemically anchored self-drilling bolt.

Learn more about Brisbane: Pullenvale, Qld (Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies).