Mechel OAO, one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, announced that coal mining at New-Olzherassk Underground mine has been resumed following spontaneous combustion problems. By the year’s end, New-Olzherassk’s section # 21-1-7 is planned to yield some 352,000 t of coal. The reserves of this longwall face are estimated at some 3 Mt. The face is equipped with mechanised shield supports made by ZF of China and a shearer, a face conveyor and outbye conveyor from Joy Mining Machinery in the UK.

This equipment allows the company to “use a unique top coal caving method enabling thick seam mining in one coal layer of up to 10 m. This technology proved the best for the mine’s geological conditions,” Mechel says.

“Mining in the production area of New-Olzherassk Underground mine, which belongs to Southern Kuzbass Coal Company, was suspended in August 2010 due to coal self-heating.”