Beltana Order's a Cutting Edge JOY Longwall System
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MOSSVALE, AUSTRALIA - March 2008 - On Thursday, 31st January, 2008, Xstrata's Beltana Highwall Mine situated in the Hunter Valley region signed an agreement with Joy Mining Machinery for the supply of a new 405m "wide face" longwall system. This new, "state-of-the-art" JOY longwall system will extract low ash thermal and semi soft coal from Blakefield South Mine.
The project will recover approximately 80 million tonnes of coal for supply of 8 million tonne annually into the Asia market, and will initially be mining beneath the old South Bulga workings.
The existing JOY longwall has been a part of the world class Beltana operation for the past 13 years (producing close to 60m tonnes). The new JOY longwall will form a key part of the future performance of Beltana over the next 10 years.
Greg Pawley, Xstrata 's General Manager responsible for the Beltana operation, stated
"Beltana has been the highest producing underground mine by a significant margin over the last 4 years. The company is confident that with the purchase of this new, JOY longwall system, it can maintain its leadership position and even increase the productivity of the underground operation at Beltana ".
The new Longwall will utilise approximately 200 off 2.0m wide 1,270 tonne (yield load) powered roof supports fitted with the RS20s control system. The armoured face conveyor 's (2 sets) set a new world benchmark for installed power- a 400kW crusher, 600kW 1550mm wide BSL, and 2x1600kW 1100mm AFC (upgradable to 3x1600kw). The JOY 7LS6 shearer (2 sets) is state-of-the-art with 1000kw rated ranging arms, 860kW cutter motors, 150kW mega drive haulage, and a FACEBOSS automation system with an integrated Landmark Inertial Navigation System.
The complete longwall will be delivered with pump stations, electrical sub-system, monorail and a comprehensive project management capability (Joy's professional project management process). The new longwall system will build on the automation levels achieved by Beltana that contributed to world-class safety and productivity. Joy has committed to support the Beltana Team in taking longwall automation to yet another level in the coal industry.
Joy 's ongoing relationship with Xstrata Beltana has been built on commitment and results. This success stems from our mutual desire, collaboration and willingness to work together to ensure creditable results that meet the goals of both organisations. Beltana's high expectations of performance and reliability will be supported with a Joy Life Cycle Management agreement.
Greg Pawley summarised the purchase "The Beltana operation has enjoyed a close working relationship with Joy Mining Machinery and are very confident that Joy has the necessary technical ability to deliver what will be the worlds most advanced longwall system".
Joy Mining Machinery, a subsidiary of Joy Global Inc., is a global leader in the development, manufacture, distribution and service of underground mining machinery for the extraction of coal and other bedded materials. For more information on Joy Mining Machinery visit www.joy.com
For further information on this release, call
Brad Neilson
Director of Sales & Marketing Australasia
+612 4860 3806 (Moss Vale, Australia)
bneilson@joy.com
