New South Wales coal mining: a growth industry

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · World Coal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6686776

Tredinnick, G J

The coal industry is highly mechanized, with modern, high-capacity mines. Particular attention has been devoted to providing efficient transport systems for men, materials, and coal. In underground mines, the predominant method of mining is room and pillar. Some longwall units operate in South Coast mines, for instance, at Bellambi colliery. The shortwall system was developed in New South Wales, and is used in a few mines. In June 1977, continuous miners produced 90.8 percent of all underground coal output. At that time, there were 206 producing mines, and on average each operated 2.4 unit-shifts per day. The average output per unit-shift for all fully manned units was 331 tons per shift. Shuttle cars and conveyor belts are widely used for coal transport, and most coal reaches the surface via adits or drifts. There has been a significant tendency, however, to install automatic bulk-hoisting at new mines. With a high level of mechanization, reasonably accessible coal seams, and a skilled and cooperative labor force, productivity in New South Wales coal mines is among the highest in the world. In 1976 to 1977, output per manshift (OMS) for underground mines was 10.2 tons, which represents a marked increase on the 1948 figure of 3 tons. The OMS for surface mines in 1976 to 1977 was 45.9 tons, and for all mines it was 12.2 tons. During 1970 to 1971, the length of a manshift was reduced from eight to seven hours.

• Research Organization: Joint Coal Board, Sydney
• OSTI ID: 6686776
• Journal Information: World Coal; (United States), Journal Name: World Coal; (United States) Vol. 4:7; ISSN WOCOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COAL INDUSTRY
COAL MINING
COAL RESERVES
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS HANDLING
MINE HAULAGE
MINING
MINING EQUIPMENT
NEW SOUTH WALES
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTIVITY
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND MINING