OREANDA-NEWS. The Novaya-2 mine, which is incorporated in Belon Group, received a new ploughing complex manufactured by DBT, Germany, and a multisection jack manufactured by Glinik, Poland. Specialists sent by the manufacturers together with the Company’s workers have started installing the new coal production complex.

The equipment set includes a ploughing complex, a face conveyor, a loader and 144 jack sections. The total cost of the face equipment is more than EUR 19 mln. The complex is being assembled by Sibgormontazh, the installation service company of Belon Group. Representatives of DBT, Germany, and Glinik, Poland, will be present on the site until the ploughing complex is put into operation. They will also ensure adherence to all operational standards and provide consulting services.

After a three-month preparation, face No. 603 is ready to be the first site to use the ploughing complex. The equipment is scheduled to be installed by November 25, 2007. The miners plan to produce 30,000 tons of coal in December, and bring the mine's output to 50,000–60,000 tons in January and February. In March, the mine is expected to reach a stable production rate of 80,000 tons of coal per month. This rate will allow the Company to produce up to 750,000 tons of coal in 2008. In the long term, Belon, for the first time in many years, is planning to bring the annual production of Novaya-2 to nearly 1,000,000 tons of coal.

The plough-type mining method will help the Novaya-2 mine, which operates in the area of thin bed development, to significantly reduce ash content of the coal produced. In addition, the complex will ensure higher safety of coal mining operations due to the automated production process and the introduction of the “mine–face” method.

The use of coal ploughing requires a special qualification from Novaya-2 specialists. This summer, the Novaya-2 miners were trained to operate the new equipment at the manufacturer in Germany.

For reference: The Novaya-2 mine produces scarce metallurgical coals of “Zh” grade. The outstanding feature of the mine is the specifity of coal bedding with the formation thickness of 0.74–1.15 m. The mine was incorporated in Belon Group in March 2006.