In a report discussing technological improvements made at the mine sites since 1954, Konstantinovich said the conversion to truck and conveyor method from the current system of railroads and in-pit rail stations was the first step in the reconstruction.

He also said the technology was to be manufactured and delivered by Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Fordertechnik.

“The conversion to the new system [means] taking out of service the whole complex of railroad transport, including 28 OPE-1 electric traction units, eight in-pit rail stations, 95km of rail tracks, 130km of overhead rail systems and rail cars,” he said.

“The conversion to the new truck and conveyor technology [would] lead to the increase of production of Bogatyr Coal from 42 to 50 million tonnes of coal per year and release 100 people – 15% of the staff – increasing labour productivity of a single worker by 1.4 times.

“[It will also] reduce the prime-cost of one tonne of coal by 1.2 times and the turnover of rail cars by three times from 14.3 hours to five hours.”

Once installed, Konstantinovich said the company would implement a training program to teach workers on how to use the new system.

The Severny and Vostochny coal mines is located near the city of Ekibastuz in Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar province.