About LASC Longwall Automation

• History
• Achievements to date

History

LASC longwall automation technology is the outcome of a major “Landmark” project funding initiative of the Australian Coal Association (ACA) through the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP). This ambitious project began in July 2001 and was undertaken by CSIRO Exploration & Mining and the Cooperative Research Centre for Mining Technology and Equipment (CMTE) (now CRC Mining).

CSIRO undertook a further 2005-Dec 2007 extension of the project. This progressed the earlier project successes through to commercial-ready technologies collectively known as
LASC Technology.

The project was closely monitored by the Longwall Automation Steering Committee (LASC), a body made up of industry and ACARP representatives. Support from the major longwall equipment manufacturers has been critical to the succes of the project.

Achievements to date

The LASC project team is proud that the project has successfully achieved many of the essential outcomes that were central to the project's vision. These have included:

• automatic face alignment
• sensors and software for automatic horizon control
• open communication systems between longwall components
• an information system that allows on-line 3D monitoring of the entire longwall system
• several new geotechnical monitoring systems

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