"Enhanced Virtual Reality simulation capability for the Australian coal mining industry."

New facility has been fast tracked and commissioned at Newcastle Mines Rescue Station in March 2006.
June 2006

“Strata Control Risk Manual for Underground Coal Mines” funded by Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) for $278,000 over two years.

This project will produce a manual for management of rib and roof fall risks in underground coal mines.  It will be based around the very successful Strata Control for Coal Mine Design training and research technology transfer brochures produced by Prof Galvin in the mid 1990s and the recently published MCA guidelines for the Management of Rockfall Risks in Underground Metalliferous Mines.  The manual will comprise six integrated installments (brochures) published regularly over a period of 24 months.  It will focus on strata control process, principles and practices and constitute a guide (as opposed to guidelines or prescription) as to what issues need be considered and where additional information can be obtained to enable mine operators to manage the risks associated with strata control.
April 2005

“State of the Art of Virtual Reality Simulation in 2005.”

Coal Services awarded a $50,000 research grant to the School to undertake an international scoping study into the current state of VR technologies as a platform for deciding if and how to proceed with a very large research grant for VR Stage 3.   Dr Phil Stothard will undertake the major part of this study, which has to be completed within 7 weeks.
February 2005

ACARP has funded a study on better ways of assessing explosives to ensure that "permitted" explosives for coal mines are still able to be supplied and used effectively and safely.
February 2005

A Linkage Project (LP0560463) “Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines” has been granted by the Australian Research Council to the School of Mining Engineering for $225,000. The project will commence in 2005 and the duration of the project will be three years involving UNSW and ULAN Coal Mines Ltd.

The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards.
January 2005