World Coal - February 2014

In this issue

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Coal News

Industry View: A Clear And Present Danger
Dr Jürgen Brune, Colorado School Of Mines, US.

South Of The Sahara
Dr Elizabeth Stephens, JLT Specialty Ltd, UK, discusses mining challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.

A Game Of Risk
As RENAMO rebels threaten rail operations and expansion in Mozambique, Barry Baxter looks at the factors affecting investment in the country’s coal industry.

Holding The Roof Up
Benjamin Mirabile, Jennmar, US, discusses three case studies of innovative cable bolt technology.

The Science Of Safety
Dr Hua Guo, CSIRO Energy Flagship, Australia, discusses underground mining safety and coal mine methane research and safety technologies.

A Family Business
Becker Mining Systems, AG, celebrates 50 years in business this year. Jonathan Rowland talks to Max Brinckman, the company’s chief sales officer/chief technology officer, about the company’s history, its products and its future.

The Next Generation
Dr Russ Morrison, BMT WBM, Australia, discusses the use of a new generator set that powers rope shovels during pit-to-pit moves at mining sites in Elk Valley.

Drill And Blast
Dr Brendon Lilly, Leica Geosystems Mining, Australia, discusses the way new technology can bring benefits to the drill-and-blast process in mining.

Planning An Efficient Process
Tyler Cvetan, Charles Hoyt, Sue Bonham-Carter and Mathew Oommen, Golder Associates, US, discuss coal mine planning processes in relation to pit optimisation.

The Maintenance Crystal Ball
Ryan Grevunstuk, Flexco, US, explains how proactive conveyor maintenance can save the system from failure, while reducing costs.

Maintaining The Standard
Larry Goldbeck, Martin Engineering, US, explains how critical maintenance of conveyor systems will help protect workers, reduce waste and maximise efficiency.

In this month’s issue of World Coal, the regional report focuses on sub-Saharan Africa, where Dr Elizabeth Stephens discusses mining challenges, and Barry Baxter looks at factors affecting investment in Mozambique’s coal industry. World Coal looks at underground health and safety, as Benjamin Mirabile, Jennmar, US, discusses three case studies of cable bolt technology and Dr Hua Guo, CSIRO Energy Flagship, Australia, discusses underground mining safety and coal mine methane research and safety technologies. We also feature articles on mine automation and control, minesite power solutions, mine planning and conveyor maintenance. The Industry View from Dr Jürgen Brune, Colorado School Of Mines, discusses the very real risk of coal dust explosions, and explains why mine operators should follow a rigorous, comprehensive programme of rock dust application, maintenance and testing to ensure that sufficient levels of inertisation are present in the mining environment.