Longwall mining an investment in the Illawarra

By Greg Ellis
Updated November 6 2012 - 2:35am, first published October 10 2011 - 10:09am
Former NSW premier Neville Wran (left) and Gujarat NRE executive chairman Arun Jagatramka unveil a plaque at the launch of the new $90 million longwall mining equipment yesterday. Picture: DAVE TEASE
Former NSW premier Neville Wran (left) and Gujarat NRE executive chairman Arun Jagatramka unveil a plaque at the launch of the new $90 million longwall mining equipment yesterday. Picture: DAVE TEASE

Gujarat NRE executive chairman Arun Jagatramka thanked the Wollongong community as $90 million in new longwall mining equipment began its final testing phase at Russell Vale colliery.Mr Jagatramka said the installation of the state-of-the-art equipment was made possible by those who supported the company when it decided to re-open two old coalmines that were considered near the end of their working lives."At this very special moment I cannot help but be a bit nostalgic," he said. Yesterday, the focus was on the future of the two mines and what that would mean to the economy as politicians, shareholders, investors and customers inspected a 30m section of the new longwall system before it moves 2km underground.Mr Jagatramka described the unveiling as a historic moment and said he still expected the 145m-long section would be installed and have all the approvals necessary to be cutting coal by late December or early January. The company is also considering the option of extending it to 390m within five years."It will take about a month to get it all underground," he said.Mr Jagatramka said the company was well on target to reach its goal of achieving six million tonnes per annum by 2015. He said the reintroduction of longwall mining at Russell Vale and the further development of longwall operations at Wongawilli in 2013 would help maximise operations at each mine to around three million tonnes per annum.The new longwall system would raise the bar, Mr Jagatramka said, predicting many more milestones would soon be achieved by the Gujarat workforce.Joy Mining Machinery sales and marketing director Brant Wright, of Moss Vale, said the investment supported the region's companies and jobs.The company engaged the region's expertise and suppliers for the installation of the new system.Unanderra's Longwall Hydraulics supplied the first longwall monorail for Australia, Pirtek Illawarra provided the hoses for the pump station and monorail system, and AMPcontrol employed Illawarra workers in supplying a substation."Once it is all here it [the new longwall] will be maintained and serviced locally," Mr Wright said.Up to 20 Joy contractors and NRE employees are undertaking compatibility and automation trials. Longwall engineer Kyle Eager said "we are looking at least at four crews of 13 people to operate it".They are undergoing training for the system, which can shear, load and transport 3500 tonnes of coking coal per hour. OPINION$90mil 'toy' highlights Coast riches - P20

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