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The engineering contribution to viability

Abstract

In 1986/87, British Coal's Western Area produced over 10 Mt of coal at an operating profit of 13M UKL, overall productivity rose by 23% and coalface productivity by 28%. Despite these achievements, the Area still faces a challenge to break even, after capital charges of 40M UKL. Engineering and related costs accounted for 29% of the total costs and so must be managed in a more effective manner. This will call not only for improved technical skill but also for engineers to accept a greater degree of managerial responsibility. Face equipment design must be optimized, machine operators trained to achieve maximum utilization and potential, mineral transport systems uprated and component parts designed for minimum maintenance. Electrical engineers must ensure that the most cost effective tariff is chosen for each colliery. Manpower planning will be a vital part of the engineer's managerial effectiveness, as will increased financial awareness. Cost comparisons between collieries have already produced financial benefits. Heavy duty machinery must be fully utilized. The 'team approach' to machine reliability, using delay analysis techniques, has produced significant improvements in production and productivity. Finally, engineering managers must develop talent among their junior colleagues and eliminate their own weaknesses.
Authors:
Publication Date:
May 01, 1988
Product Type:
Journal Article
Reference Number:
CLA-88-080200; EDB-88-119732
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: Min. Technol.; (United Kingdom); Journal Volume: 70:811
Subject:
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; COAL MINES; MANAGEMENT; ENGINEERING PERSONNEL; TRAINING; LONGWALL MINING; ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING; MINING ENGINEERING; UNITED KINGDOM; COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS; DECISION MAKING; IN-SERVICE INSPECTION; MAINTENANCE; MANPOWER; MINE HAULAGE; MINING EQUIPMENT; OPTIMIZATION; PLANNING; POWER SUPPLIES; PRODUCTIVITY; RELIABILITY; WORKING FACES; ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT; ENGINEERING; EQUIPMENT; EUROPE; INSPECTION; MATERIALS HANDLING; MINES; MINING; PERSONNEL; PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL; UNDERGROUND FACILITIES; UNDERGROUND MINING; WESTERN EUROPE; 012030* - Coal, Lignite, & Peat- Underground Mining- (1987-)
OSTI ID:
7168044
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: CODEN: MNGTB
Submitting Site:
CLA
Size:
Pages: 148, 150
Announcement Date:
Aug 01, 1988

Citation Formats

Evans, J W. The engineering contribution to viability. United Kingdom: N. p., 1988. Web.
Evans, J W. The engineering contribution to viability. United Kingdom.
Evans, J W. 1988. "The engineering contribution to viability." United Kingdom.
@misc{etde_7168044,
title = {The engineering contribution to viability}
author = {Evans, J W}
abstractNote = {In 1986/87, British Coal's Western Area produced over 10 Mt of coal at an operating profit of 13M UKL, overall productivity rose by 23% and coalface productivity by 28%. Despite these achievements, the Area still faces a challenge to break even, after capital charges of 40M UKL. Engineering and related costs accounted for 29% of the total costs and so must be managed in a more effective manner. This will call not only for improved technical skill but also for engineers to accept a greater degree of managerial responsibility. Face equipment design must be optimized, machine operators trained to achieve maximum utilization and potential, mineral transport systems uprated and component parts designed for minimum maintenance. Electrical engineers must ensure that the most cost effective tariff is chosen for each colliery. Manpower planning will be a vital part of the engineer's managerial effectiveness, as will increased financial awareness. Cost comparisons between collieries have already produced financial benefits. Heavy duty machinery must be fully utilized. The 'team approach' to machine reliability, using delay analysis techniques, has produced significant improvements in production and productivity. Finally, engineering managers must develop talent among their junior colleagues and eliminate their own weaknesses.}
journal = []
volume = {70:811}
journal type = {AC}
place = {United Kingdom}
year = {1988}
month = {May}
}