Mine Timber Technology (MTT) is the culmination of in excess of 25 years work in timber and mine related products with its origins from the Emerald Sawmill in Central Queensland.
As a supplier of typical roof support at the time to local mines (Crinum and Gordonstone) in the form of “6 x 6″‘s for 4 point cribs it was made clear by the workforce installing the cribs that a new solution would be well received.
In 1998 an initial trial of a new 100% contact system was installed in the Gordonstone Mine with intellectual property rights completed at the time. Unfortunately the mine entered a period of industrial action and was closed down by its owners at the time. In time it was subsequently sold to new owners however the staff and workforce did not continue on and the trials were lost.
It was colloquially called the “Glogloc” and the archived images provide some insight into the beginnings of our product development 2 decades ago.
Based on the experience at the time Emerald Sawmill determined to move forward in other directions when in due course it became aware of another product entering the market supporting the concept of 100% contact. Whilst the marketing and claims of the new product were not totally aligned with what was actually the case the product did have significant take up and has became the dominant product in secondary standing support.
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Evolution and improvement in processes,products and systems is fundamental to the world we live in. If it was not the case we would still all be driving T Model Ford’s. That is not to say they were not a great vehicle at the time but advances have moved on that make the motor vehicle of today more safer, more productive, more comfortable etc. The same can be said for the life cycle of all products even pieces of timber used underground as ground support.
Utilizing advanced methods of timber machining (10 axis CNC machining centre) and applying extensive knowledge of Australian hardwoods, Mine Timber Technology is the culmination of 5 years of more recent development and trials in new products to improve safety and improve performance of underground roof support using timber.
Many of the findings have enabled timber to become a “new” product in some applications underground which in the past have not been considered or even set aside due to practices and processes that have been traditionally undertaken.
MTT’s specialised focus on timber roof support makes it a world leader in the field. New product development is paramount to make the most of the properties timber offers and supports the endeavours of MTT to assist in providing safer and more productive mines whilst reconciling with environmental values needed for long term secure supply of timber roof support to the mining industry.
