The first automated DBT longwall plow system installed in China by the Tiefa Coal Mining Bureau at the Xiaoqing mine continues to operate very well and automatically, Harry Martin, vice president global sales and marketing DBT, told International Longwall News.
The automated plow system is of great interest to China where 23% of the coal reserves are thinner than 1.3m and 47% below 2.0m. Also China is paying great attention to improving the working environment for the underground coal miner and the automated plow removes operators from the dust and confined spaces, Martin said.
Since commencing coal production in January 2001 this Xiaoqing plow system has produced well over 1 million tons of saleable coal totally accident free. In March, Martin presented a DBT award to Zhang Mingyuan, President of the Tiefa Coal Bureau in recognition of the 12 months accident free operation.
“The Tiefa coal operational standards are as high as any in the world and this is reflected by the very professional approach of the management team lead by Zhang Minyuan,” Martin said.
The coal seam at this mine is 1.2 to 1.3m thick and the coal is very hard by world standards. A number of sandstone intrusions and geological faults encountered during the first panel were all successfully negotiated.
“Based upon the success of this two more systems have been negotiated and contract signing is imminent. One system is for the Xishan Malan mine in Shanxi province and Tiefa have ordered a second system. Tiefa is located north east of Shenyang City in the province of Liaoning,” Martin said.
The second Tiefa system is designed for the Xioanan Mine for a 260-meter wide panel (initial width 215-meters), with a higher capacity AFC system (2 x 400kW installed power, 822mm wide) to cater for the higher coal seam of 1.7m thickness. The plow is the state of the art 5.7 type, which allows all wear parts to be changed on site.
The Xi Shan system is very similar to the Tiefa second system but will operate in a higher seam (2.0m). Both are expected to shatter the Chinese thin seam longwall production records while eliminating the need for persons to work on the face thus greatly improving the working safety and environment.
In China’s thick seam mining sector DBT has also made significant inroads, with Chinese mines purchasing six sets of high seam shields from DBT. All are fitted with the PM-4 intelligent control system providing considerable flexibility to the operator including full automation capability, even in bad geological and mining conditions.
“Since the Chinese market for imported shield supports began to open up again in 1993, DBT has enjoyed a 60% market share against its western competition,” Martin said. “In fact the last five sets of high seam shields have been purchased from DBT.”
“Other interesting statistics include imported AFC systems where DBT has a 42% market share, not including the AFC’s which are supplied with the automated plows where DBT has a 100% market share.”
According to Martin DBT has 100% market share in Battery Operated Scoops with a total of 27 purchased since 1997. In Coal Haulers DBT has a 74% market share and in continuous haulage systems DBT has a 67% market share.
DBT is looking for improvement in shearers as it only has a market share of 27%.
Some production highlights from high seam DBT faces include;
The average yearly production at Shendong is 4 to 5 Million metric tons per
year.
The current annual record is held by the Daliuta Mine which achieved 8 million metric tons in 2000 and the best daily longwall production by Shendong 25.000 metric tons.
