Mechel PAO, one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, reports launching the new Longwall 0-17-18 operation at its VI Lenina underground mine, which is part of Southern Kuzbass Coal Company. The new longwall’s industrial coking coal reserves are estimated at 560,000 t. The longwall is 190 m long, with an average seam height of three meters, the extraction panel is approximately 730 m.

The longwall is equipped with a 130-section powered support system, a cutter-loader, a burr mill, a pitcar loader and a longwall conveyor. All equipment is up to modern safety standards. Investment in the project totalled approximately 400 million rubles. “The new longwall’s launch will enable us to drastically increase the mine’s output capacity and coking coal mining volumes. The monthly load is planned at 70-80,000 t. The coal will be supplied to Russian and foreign steelmakers,” Mechel Mining Management OOO’s Chief Executive Officer Igor Khafizov noted.