The Australian-based group first entered its Dura-Base composite matting, which can be used for load spreading in applications over 3,200 tonnes. The product's 105mm-thick HDPE modular panels interconnect, the company said, to form a solid surface to drive on - giving a mine immediate road condition improvements and thus boosting safety.

"Crucially, without the need for frequent pothole repairs required of concrete roads, combined with more efficient travel times by the shutter cars, the use of Dura-Base mats can increase a mine's production efficiency by 6%," it said.

The second pitch it sent to the programme is its solution to ensure stable ground access for haul roads and heavy-lift areas at mine sites.

"Haul roads are the lifeline of all open-pit mines and having a smooth and durable road profile is key to keeping productivity at an optimum. Having good roads are also key to increasing tyre life of haulage machinery.

Miner BHP teamed up with Austmine in February this year to launch the BHP Supplier Innovation Programme, a three-year initiative under which it has invited suppliers to develop innovative solutions to top ten safety risks at mine sites.

Some of these include vehicle safety, mobile equipment operating in-pit or underground, fire and explosion, falling objects or electrical hazards.

JWA said its submissions to the programme are best utilised to reduce traffic-related accidents in underground coal mines and also provide stable ground access for haul roads.

According to studies conducted by the Australian Coal Industry's Research Program (ACARP), shuttle car movements in underground development roads are the leading cause of injuries and fatalities in underground coal mining, from potholes created from constant heavy-machinery traffic, JSA said.