Jodi Goodall
Brady Heywood
Ravindu Goonawardene
Geology Geotechnical Superintendent
Chris Crosby
Surrey Superintendent, Anglo American Grosvenor Mine
The risk of fatalities due to roof and rib failures is still prevalent in underground coal mines which highlights the fundamental importance of monitoring roof and ribs in underground roadways.
Monitoring strata deformation and convergence in underground roadways is a key metric for measuring instability of excavations. Visual inspections, tell tales, extensometers and instrumented bolts are some of the methods used to quantify strata deformation.
The significant limitations of the current methods only provide a point-measurement along the roadway. Using laser technology allows the mine to scan and measure large regions of roof and ribs across continuous regions with millimetre accuracy.
The Maptek SR3 laser scanner has been used as a control during the rib optimisation trial at Grosvenor. This technology provides a baseline scan and subsequent scans to ascertain the extent of deformation throughout the active development mining areas. Thus, allowing geotechnical engineers to assess the adequacy of the trialled support system. Moreover, this technology allows geotechnical engineers to better analyse geological anomalies (fault orientations, dips, throw), bolting tolerances and excavation dimensions in an effective manner.
Garry Gosling
Joint Action Solutions
Scott Graham
Mineplex
Dr Eryn Grant
Anglo American
Joel Gray
Senior Mining Engineer – Operations, Cannington Mine, South32
Several paste backfill bulkhead failures over the space of 12 months demanded that paste inrush risk at Cannington be re-evaluated. The resulting risk assessment led to the introduction of a set of new operating rules for high risk filling conditions to ensure safer use of the popular backfill method at the mine.
This paper will talk operators through the high potential incidents which occurred, the primary causes and the risk assessment which followed. Implementable actions utilised at Cannington are shared, while challenging other operations to consider their own current level of risk with regards to the use of paste backfill.
Nicole Gray
The Keil Centre
Evan Greenaway – Superintendent CHPP, Anglo American Capcoal
Anthony Duck – Operations Manager, Dust-A-Side Australia Pty Ltd
ABSTRACT
No matter the industry, whether it’s mining, rail, shipping or agriculture, dealing with dust is unavoidable.
Massive sites with high yields across any industry will have multiple dust generation points. Controlling dust generated during the transport of materials via conveyors and trucks on haul roads presents a unique set of challenges to mining operations.
In situations where there are multiple dust generation points, it’s rarely enough for a site to just wet all material and expect the dust to be controlled throughout each stage of processing.
In this Anglo open cut site and coal handling and processing plant a two-pronged approach incorporating both Dust Prevention and Dust Suppression is being used to control not only the dust you see, but the microscopic dust that you can’t see – the dust that creates health and environmental concerns, and regulatory issues.
While we continue to test its success, we believe this “smart”, flexible, integrated system, combining technology and well-developed products with attention-to-detail management can ultimately reduce dust exposure to people, equipment and environments.
The expertise exists to implement total dust control solutions in any situation. The key is to find the right type of solution for each specific dust generation point.
Daniel Grundy
General Manager, GRT
GRT provides engineered solutions for dust control, process optimisation, erosion control, road stabilisation and water management in the Resources, Roads and Rural sectors.
Our company is wholly Australian owned, based in Queensland, but with staff based in each state, who service mining, quarrying, civil, and rural clients both nationally and internationally.
GRT products and site solutions are developed by our own technical staff in conjunction with key industry partners – we provide the total site management options from pit to port!
Emma Gruschka – Senior Associate
Laura Regan – Consultant, Sparke Helmore Lawyers
ABSTRACT
Labour hire plays a significant role in the mining industry, as businesses seek a flexible workforce that can respond to fluctuating labour demand, address skills shortages and boost productivity. However, as the demand for labour-hire has continued to grow, so too has the number of incidents exposing the exploitation and mistreatment of workers. A 2016 report by the Finance and Administration Committee found alarming evidence of a number of illegal practices, including the undercutting of employment conditions.
In response to these findings, and to ensure worker health and safety, the Queensland Parliament passed the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 (Qld) (Act) in September 2017. The Act is set to impose significant obligations on providers, and those who engage providers, of labour hire services. Given the substantial penalties for contraventions, including possible imprisonment, it is crucial that individuals covered by the Act understand their new obligations.
This presentation is a must for those wanting to know the ins and outs of the new mandatory licensing scheme, including:
• the operation of the ‘fit and proper person test’;
• reporting obligations; and
• powers of inspector to enter and search premises.
Attendees will also be provided with the practical steps they should take to ensure compliance.