Roadheader tunnelling machines have been used in Australia by both mining companies and contractors involved in the mining and con- struction industries since the early 1970's._x000D_
They have both advantages and limitations, and this paper discusses machine excavation from the point of view of a contractor who has both reaped the benefits and suffered the conse- quences of using roadheaders. The paper also includes brief descriptions of three projects tackled by roadheader, all the projects being Declines.