Part 3: Lenina Mine, Kuzbass region, Russia
When a faulted zone was encountered on 0-5-1-9 panel at the Lenina mine in the Kuzbass region, previous experience crossing the faulted zone on panel 0-5-1-7 showed that steps needed to be taken to cross it safely and efficiently.
The total IV-V seam thickness varied from 9.2m to 10.4m with the average extracting seam thickness of the upper layer 4.5m. The seam dip angle was 11-13 degrees. Mining was done by a Russia 2KM-142 and Poland shearer KGS-445 at a depth of 230m. The geological fault area was 15-20m along the longwall dip and 150m along the seam strike with a gradual displacement.
When 0-5-1-7 panel crossed the faulted zone progress was plagued by a host of problems, including 28 accidents and unfortunately one fatality, which eventually led to the face being stopped and 194,000 metric tonnes of un-mined coal reserves written off.
It was decided that the faulted zone would be consolidated with Wilkit E injection resin supplied by Minova CarboTech. The consolidation pattern was developed by the mine and specialists from Minova CarboTech and entailed drilling 12 injection holes of 5.5m long and 43mm diameter into the upper seam, both horizontally and with inclination of 15-20 degrees. The spacing of the injection holes was 1.5m in the fault zone and 3m in the adjacent seam. Plastic injection lances 2m long were then inserted and injected with between 40kg and 200kg of Wilkit-E depending on location. A similar type of procedure was utilized while the longwall passed through the fault zone.
Not only did the injection of Wilkit E allow the longwall to pass safely through the faulted zone, it also increased to productivity of the face.
Since this application was made, Minova CarboTech has replaced Wilkit E with Geoflex. Geoflex offers the same injection properties as Wilkit-E but with improved strength and adhesive qualities.
Click here to read Part 1 on Minova’s work at the Crown 3 mine in Illinois.
Click here to read Part 2 on Minova’s work at the Newstan Colliery in NSW.
Published in the December 2006 American Longwall Magazine
