DBT has been awarded an order for two longwall shield support systems and one AFC system by major Chinese producer Shenhua International.

 

The equipment will be installed in the Shendong coal field in a seam height of 3.5-4m.

 

A similar system was supplied in 1994 for the Daliuta mine, located in the province of Inner Mongolia, and since start of production in 1996 has produced more than 10.16 million tonnes of coal without a major overhaul.

 

DBT said this equipment had contributed to setting several production records since then.

 

DBT said the new equipment, as at Daliuta, will be fitted with a PM-4 electronic shield control unit, which controls the automated longwall process.

 

The AFC gear boxes have an integrated overload clutch to enhance system reliability and component service life.

 

The equipment will be delivered by year's end and the start of operation is scheduled for 2001.

 

The designed capacity of each longwall system is for more than 4 million tonnes ROM per year.