The Australian based Grasstree longwall operation, which is part of the Capcoal complex in the Bowen Basin of Central Queensland, has undergone a series of performance upgrades uplifting it back to delivering world leading longwall performance resulting in over 9 mt of coal cut from a single longwall in the preceding year of 2017.
Here, since 2007 an Eickhoff SL 750 shearer loader (Figure 1) is cutting its way through the 2,8 m seam at a panel width of 340 m. The high availability delivered by the shearer averages considerably more than 95 % and state-based and automation operations enable highest performance while automation features keep staff out of harm´s way.
The coking coal produced in this operation is mainly used for steel production overseas and transported by rail directly to vessels on the Dalrymple bay coal terminal.
Eickhoff´s SL 750 range is fully equipped with advanced automation features which enable coal producers to continually break world records on a monthly and annual basis. This machine has proven itself to be a reliable backbone in longwall operations worldwide and is also highly favoured by Australian mines.
Eickhoff´s subsidiary Eickhoff Australia Pty Ltd. is the sales and distribution hub for machines, parts and service in Australia. A new and bigger workshop for shearer overhauls is under construction in New South Wales. Further supporting stores and offices for short lead times of services and spare parts are located close to the mines in all Australian coal fields. Currently Eickhoff Australia is preparing a new SL 750 shearer loader designated to go underground at Glencore´s Ulan No. 3 mine exchanging an older Eickhoff SL 500 shearer and by that delivering a leap in technology in regards to automation functionality, user friendliness and high production outcomes.
Since its foundation in 1864 Eickhoff has been specialized in underground coal and potash mining equipment. Today, Eickhoff is a successful German based global supplier of longwall shearers and continuous miners, providing the world wide mining community with more than 50 machines every year.
Further information:
Eickhoff Bergbautechnik GmbH
www.eickhoff-international.com
