STRATEGY FOR MINING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

The strategy on which current mining research and development work must be based if it is to make its maximum contribution to the industry's safety and productivity is highlighted. This strategy is founded on the progress of projects through four phases: research, development, demonstration and exploitation. The work currently being done by the Mining Research and Development Establishment (MRDE) in each of these four phases is described, beginning with the long-term research phase, which is concerned with the problems that may confront the industry 15-50 years hence. Current work is outlined in a number of key areas in the medium-term development stage, the object of which is to provide solutions to the most likely key problems in 5-10 years. In the short term the key problem that now faces the industry is the inconsistency of performance of established longwall face equipment.