IM 2021 September 21 | Page 42

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Booth 25639-S connected to the mine ’ s network . This functionality can , Komatsu says , reduce the number of operators on the face , increase productivity , reduce downtime and cut waste .
Three operations in China have started to see the benefits of the solution , including the Boadin ( Shandong Province ), Yubei Xiaobaodang ( Shanxi Province ) and Xiegou ( Shandong Province ) mines .
The installation at the operation owned by Yubei Xiaobaodang Mining Company , part of Yubei Coal ( itself owned by Shaanxi Coal & Chemical Industry Group Co Ltd ), came alongside a Komatsu shearer and AFC that will operate with an average cutting height of 2.5 m .
The first trial operation saw Longwall Surface Control successfully demonstrated earlier this year , according to Sudworth , and the plan is to shortly commission this feature on a commercial scale .
“ The same goes for Xiegou equipment , which is still at the ‘ mini-build phase ’ of the project ,” Sudworth said , adding : “ We are seeing requests for Longwall Surface Control on all our Chinese contracts .”
In the US , Komatsu says Longwall Surface Control is currently being used at Arch Resources ’ Leer operation in West Virginia .
Sudworth says most of the mines in these countries are requesting information on the feature , with Russian coal miners also expected to come to the table shortly .
COVID-19 has been a factor in accelerating the uptake in use of Longwall Surface Control , yet the drive to reduce the number of operators on the face has been a “ strategic vision for most mine operators for several years ”, Sudworth said .
The ultimate vision for Komatsu is to develop a fully autonomous longwall system , with Longwall Surface Control representing a “ massive step ” towards achieving that vision , he added .
Sudworth , in this same feature last year , spelled out the challenges to achieve this feat – namely automating the shearer in-seam positioning , face creep management , cavity management , boot end alignment and steering and bretby management , among other elements under ‘ exception management ’ – and he remains confident the company could provide “ innovative solutions to these problems ”.
The company recently made changes to its Joy-branded Powered Roof Support ( PRS ) offering which , Jason Savage , Senior Vice President Joy Underground Soft Rock for Komatsu , says will help provide flexibility to customers while continuing to offer the company ’ s core competencies it is known for in this space , namely Joy customengineered PRS solutions .
The move will see Komatsu provide Joy-engineered PRS solutions through partnerships with PRS manufacturers .
Sudworth expanded on this : “ Our engineers will work closely with all parties throughout the quotation phase , including partnering with our customers on vendor selection to ultimately deliver a high-performance longwall system .”
He said adapting the company ’ s longwall mining equipment business in such a way meant the company would best meet customer needs to reduce costs and maximise performance .
Komatsu will continue to design innovative and bespoke roof supports , with customers having more flexibility to source custom-designed Joy roof supports that will be manufactured through partnerships , he added .
At the same time , the company will continue to design and manufacture Joy AFCs , shearers and longwall controls ( including PRS controls ), as well as provide project management , quality and integration services for longwall systems , Sudworth added .
And speaking of PRS controls , Komatsu is planning to show off the Joy RS20N AFC / PRS system at MINExpo , in Las Vegas , later this month . This is a faster , more powerful and reliable electronic control system that enables real-time decisions to be made from a remote location , enabling the removal of personnel from the mine face , according to Sudworth .
38 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2021