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17/06/09China mine safety project a coup for Queensland
Queensland has scored an international coup by being selected to manage a major new mine safety demonstration project in China, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
"My department's Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (Simtars) has been appointed by the Commonwealth to manage the joint Australia-China project at the Xuandong coal mine, 150km from Beijing," he said.
"The mine will showcase Australian mine safety technology, training and education in risk management; and adopt leading practices and technologies to minimise mine injuries and fatalities.
"The first team of Australian mine safety experts has already travelled there to undertake a safety audit - the first step towards Xuandong mine achieving world's best safety practice.
"The lessons learned at Xuandong will set new standards for mine safety at other coal mines in China and around the world."
Mr Robertson said winning the project was an international coup for Simtars and the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.
"Simtars is recognised as a world leader in cutting-edge mine safety and health technology and exports that expertise to many countries.
"This project is one of Australia's key contributions to the Coal Mine Health and Safety Project under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.
"Managing the Xuandong project reinforces Simtars reputation as a leader in mine safety and technology both within Australia and around the world."
Mr Robertson said the China project was the latest export success for the Redbank-based Simtars.
"In India, Simtars has just delivered its world-famous Camgas mine gas analysis system to South Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of the largest coal mining company in the world - Coal India.
"Camgas is a Queensland-developed early warning system for detecting dangerous gases in mines and minimising the risk of fires and explosions.
"The latest generation of the Simtars system is now recognized as the best of its type in the world.
"South Eastern Coalfields Limited has installed the system in its Manendergarh coalmine in central India and Simtars is providing training to the mine's rescue personnel.
"This is an export coup for Queensland because it is the first Coal India mine to install Camgas and bodes well for future sales to Coal India's 465 coal mines," Mr Robertson said.
Simtars exports its mine gas monitoring systems and other mines safety expertise to many countries including China, India, USA, New Zealand, Malaysia, Brunei, South Africa, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
Media contact: 07 3224 7332
Last Updated 03 November 2009
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