K. Matsui
Kyushu University
Mechanized tunneling technique using a roadheader has become a
predominant method of tunnel drivage. Roadheaders have been used
to an increasing extent to drive both mining and civil engineering
tunnels. Compared with drilling & blasting method, mechanized
tunneling technique offers major advantages such as continuity of
operations, reduction of manual content of the tunnel operations
and improved advance rate with reduced manpower. It also offers
improved ground control and an environment leading to safer
working conditions.
In Indonesia, approximately over 70 million tons of clean
coal is produced annually. About 10 million tons is exported to
Japan. Most of the produced coal is from surface mines. Only about
0.7 million tons is produced from three underground mines at
present. It is anticipated that most coal will have to be mined
from the underground in the near future. Under a "Five-year Plan
for Coal Technology Transfer", Japanese coal technology will be
transferred in an extensive and planned manner to Indonesia. An
agreement on the 'Slope Project at Ombilin Ⅲ' was concluded
between JCOAL and PTBA in 1998. In this project, a development
system of a incline was introduced, consisting of a roadheader and
a transport system that were manufactured in Japan. Other project
related to PTBA is 'Washery Project' that is to renew the
equipment of the coal preparation plant at Ombilin Coal Mine.
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Joint research work at Ombilin Coal Mine, Indonesia
that has, since 1998, been conducted by Kyushu
University, Japan, Institute Technology of Bandung,
Indonesia and Institute of Sciences, Bandung, Indonesia
is directed primarily towards the optimal underground
support system and the development of optimal underground
mining methods in Indonesia. Some results of the joint
research have already been reported. |
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 Aspect of the highwall mining systems. |