1. ACARP Presentation Cutting A Smarter Metre Process optimisation techniques currently being utilised

2. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – Measure In order to improve processes you need a yardstick or a constant. With the MB it is reasonably obvious that you should use “Mesh Overlap Roof Bolt” to “Mesh Overlap Roof Bolt” as it is almost always one metre. What you do in that metre will affect greatly your panel advance rates. Some of the easily recognisable areas for inefficiencies are listed below Cutting Techniques Loading and Haulage Techniques Bolting Techniques and Bolt Patterns (Roof and Rib) Mine Design and Coal Clearance Design People and Consistancy Machine and Road Maintenance

3. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – Measure

4. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – Measure The Operational Report is used to easily recognise your inefficiencies and should be used in conjunction with The Bolting Report in order to drill down on your process.

5. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – Measure Reports from a Continuous Haulage MB

6. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy With both these reports there is room for improvement, Ideally there is only one right way to cut a metre – The Fastest and Safest. In order to improve there is a need to look outside the square and break down each step of the coaling process to identify bottle necks and either eliminate or manage them into your process Traditional constraints on production are still valid ie. bolting, wheeling, and services but with the introduction of a continuous haulage product in conjunction with a MB other process improvements became apparent. surging / coal size horizon control transfer points

7. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy

8. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy BM With Haulage. Identify Exceptions Repeat Behaviours Cycle variance / m

9. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy Why such a big difference? What can be done to improve consistancy? With haulage you need to match your simultaneous tasks to the slowest component in order maximise component life and minimise surging or peak loading Horizon control can be difficult to maintain when operators are pushed and tired. Floor conditions and outbye belts can suffer from overloaded belts and poor horizon control One solution is Automation of the cutting process to control horizon and surging

10. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy

11. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy Auto Cut Improvements Traditionally aimed at floor to roof cutting in a predefined set of limits Focus on consistant machine set up and operator interface at start of cut to enable a more consistant Roof to Floor methodology Consistant Horizon control Production can be slowed to match bolting to relieve belts and transfers Coal can be sized at the face to enhance output Free’s up an machine operator to assist with bolting activity Consistant cycle cutting time Lineal transducers in stab jacks

12. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy

13. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy Shearing up can be a viable component of cutting cycle in order to control coal sizing, and flow depending upon hardness of material and sump depth, It can also be used as the final part of your cycle to prevent bogging and overloading of cutters Must be used in conjunction with condition monitoring Increased load on cutter assembly

14. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy Digital Bolting Initial problems during startup Feedback from operators and MDG35.1 requirements led to refinments Importance of focusing automation projects on flexibility and ease of use Consistant cycle bolting time Consistant bolt installation leads to better roof support and possibility for reduced bolt density

15. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy Bolts installed 3-5 minutes Consistancy issues are related to consumable handling and tooling Ability to put up primary roof support consistantly, while still having the flexibility to bolt manually and deal with adverse roof conditions Maintenance and understanding of system

16. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Consistancy

17. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – Bolt Patterns It is hard to measure your metre when you are forced to put up a centre bolt, With MB Operators See available coal so continue to cut thus only use the last 50cm of sump Ineffective bolting technique because you are lengthening the cycle time by adding this standalone process Is it possible to maintain the same roof bolt density ie. 4 on the metre and 2 on the half, By just installing 6 in a row? Consider other forms of bolting, QDS, SDB, Secondary support overdrive then pre bolt intersections before they become intersections from QDS bolters to enable “tram through”

18. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement - Haulage When installing haulage consider the following Pillar length Vs expected M/OH and shift duration ie. 8MOH over 12 hr shift = 96m production but 1 hr travel = 88m production 1 hr pull back to resupply and return to face = 80m Therefore maximum effective shift mining range is 80m if everything goes right Can we match mine design to mining range? Can we shorten pillars to allow side loading resupply and add 1hr production back to shift? Or double consumable storage to allow 2 shifts out of one supply = 140m range How do you resupply your miner? pre-bolted intersections 60 degree cut throughs

19. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – Storage For 90m Development we need to carry 270 + Roof Bolts, and chemicals 180 + Rib Bolts, and Chemicals 90 sheets roof mesh 180m rib mesh

20. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – What Does 8MOH plus look like?

21. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – What Does 8MOH plus look like?

22. Sandvik Mining and Construction Process Improvement – Where Next? Cutting faster when your bolting constrained can cause panel downtime In order to allow machines to cut and bolt big metres simultaneously, more consideration has to be given to operator comfort Focus on cyclic behaviours, find a place for consumables, the next metres bolts, drills, fit implements to machines for drill tip removal and cleaning etc… Focus on mining and bolting patterns to optimise process efficiency Support and maintain Autonomous Operations is dependant on supervisors and managers, It may take some getting used to but it will pay dividends Focus on maintenance due to high cycle rates