The mine set its first record in August last year when it achieved 1,005m (3,300 feet) development, only to surpass the record in March with 1,200m (3,938ft).

 

Part of the Vorkutaugol (Vorkuta Coal) Group and located on the 67 degrees (latitude) North, near the city of Vorkuta in the far North Urals area of Russia, the mine received a full package of development equipment including the miner bolter designed for medium seam height, a Joy 10SC32B shuttle car and a Stamler Feeder-Breaker BF14 model in December 2008.

 

Due to the small size of vertical shaft access into the mine, the equipment had to be completely stripped down to less than 10 tonne (11 ton) sub-assemblies to be transported underground. It was then reassembled underground and commissioned in February 2009.

 

The machine experienced early difficulties in loading out the cut material. A team of Joy engineers and service support personnel from Australia and Russia were mobilised to resolve the issues.

 

The support allowed the machine to be back in operation quickly and the mine operators adapted rapidly to the equipment, achieving a record 750m (2,500 feet) advance in May 2009.

 

Joy said performance since then had gone extremely well to achieve both the initial Russian record development in August, then March.

 

It said both advancements were thought to be records for the European coal industry, as typically mines in Europe are very deep at 500-1000m (1,650-3280 feet) and development can only be completed using single or twin entry roadways. Any development rates of more than 400m (1,300 feet) in a month are noteworthy.

 

Following the mine’s initial success, mine director Svyatoslav Smelkov congratulated the miners on their world-class achievement and presented them with a symbolic piece of coal with the inscription “1,005 metres”

 

“The advantages of the Joy 12CM30 miner bolter is that the machine cuts very quickly and you have no need to reposition the machine or tram forward and backward,” machine operator Victor Darmoros said.

 

Vorgashorskaya has successfully transported and commissioned a second Joy 12CM30 B miner bolter that completed more than 300m (990ft) in August 2009.

 

The mine holds two rapid advance miner bolter systems and plans to have both achieve an average of more than 600m (1,970ft) per month.

 

Following recent achievements, local management believe that figure may increase significantly.