Wollongong's role in preventing coal gas outbursts

Dec 22, 2004

The Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) has awarded the University of Wollongong $149,310 for a two-year period to provide the coal industry with online web information on coal gas outbursts.

Recent statistics show that over 30,000 outbursts have occurred worldwide in the past 150 years.

Most recently the high incidence of outburst-related disasters in China, with more than 5,000 lives lost every year in the past four years, is a clear reminder of the dangers associated with coal outbursts.

These statistics support the importance of the project for the mining industry worldwide. The primary objective of the site will be to provide easy access to the experience, knowledge and information required by the industry.

The research applicants say the project will go a long way to meet industry needs for relevant information as it will aid in the prevention of disastrous and sometimes fatal incidences of coal outbursts.

The successful grant applicants are Associate Professor Naj Aziz, of the School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering; Dr Richard Caladine, Centre for Educational Development and Interactive Resources; Ken Cram, Manager of the Corrimal Office, Coal Services Pty Ltd; and Lucia Tome, UOW Engineering Faculty Librarian.

The outburst web site links closely with the existing Longwall Mining site at: Longwall Mining website

The outburst coal gas explosions site is in the initial stages of development and may be viewed at: Outburst website