Besides orders received from various new clients, Eickhoff Bergbautechnik GmbH (Eickhoff’s Mining Technology Division) obtained orders for additional seven shearer loaders from one of its key Chinese customers, Datong Coal Mine Group, earlier this year. With the six new Eickhoff SL500 and one Eickhoff SL300 in the new order, Datong´s fleet of Eickhoff shearer loaders will have increased to a total of 25.

While the SL300 has an installed power of 1.158 MW and is “perfectly geared to mid seam applications between 1.6 m and 4 m, the Eickhoff SL500 with its 1.915 MW is widely used in mid to high seam applications between 2.3 m and 6 m. The company states: “For nearly two decades the Eickhoff SL 500 has been recognised as a top cutting machine in international high performance longwall systems and has earned a reputation as a workhorse with high availability and minimum downtimes. Owing to its remarkable reliability, the Eickhoff SL500 continues to be number one choice for longwall specialists in China and Russia. Operators value the characteristic Eickhoff underframe concept while owners appreciate its profitability.”

Datong started to operate its first Eickhoff SL500 back in 2002. Today, Datong is not only one of the major customers of Eickhoff but also one of the main coal producers in China with coal production of 39 Mt in 2012. The purchase of the additional seven machines will serve to further strengthen the role of the Datong Group. The statement concludes: “Since the very first Eickhoff shearer started cutting Datong has been achieving new production records on a regular basis with this reliable and powerful, yet safe and economical shearer loader model.” Overall, Eickhoff deliver some 50 longwall shearers and continuous miners per year to the global coal industry.