• Reid, David
• Hargrave, Chad

Abstract

This paper will describe new research and development currently being undertaken by the CSIRO Mining Technology Group to advance the automation capability of continuous mining equipment in underground coal mining operations. The research effort targets enabling technology that will lead to an increase in roadway development rates as well as providing a safer working environment for underground mine personnel.The activity is funded by the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) and forms part of a larger underground development initiative, known as the CM2010 project which is managed by a Roadway Development Task Group (RDTG).The Task Group has identified three research areas requiring new development in order to realise the CM2010 project objectives: self-steering (autonomous) continuous miner capability, an enhanced drilling and bolting process, and improved mesh deployment.CSIRO’s primary role in the CM2010 project is in the research and demonstration of continuous miner self-steering technology. This paper will focus on the outcomes achieved to date in the three-year research and development project. Details will be provided on the technical developments and progress made towards demonstration of a “self-steering” capability to enable a continuous miner to automatically maintain a given mining heading and mining horizon under production conditions.A primary technical requirement of this automated functionality is the means to accurately determine both the location and orientation of the continuous miner in real-time.Results of performance testing of a high performance navigation system utilising novel aiding technologies will be presented. This system combines high performance inertial, radar, optical and laser technologies to achieve a navigation-grade guidance system.Comprehensive performance evaluation has been conducted using a scale skid-steer mobility platform.Results achieved to the present stage of the project are promising and suggest that the project goal to provide automated self-steering capability under production conditions is achievable. This achievement represents a significant contribution towards a step change improvement in underground roadway development

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• mobility