Huainan is a major coal producer in the Anhui Province, close to Shanghai, annually producing 34 million tons (30.8 million tonnes) of raw coal, with plans to increase production to 80 million tons (72.5 million tonnes) by 2010 with the introduction of high-efficiency mining equipment and the opening of six new coal mines presently under development.

With the opening of these mines, Huainan will double the number of coal mines it operates, from six to 12, and will be operating a total of 23 longwall faces.

The expansion represents for Joy future requirements for longwall mining equipment, such as the Joy 7LS2 and 7LS3 shearers for the extraction of medium thickness coal seams, and Joy continuous miner bolters for the development of longwall panels.

Joy has plans to open a sales and service office in Huainan.

The two Joy 7LS6 shearers purchased in late September will be operating in Huainan’s Guqiao mine, one of the new mines now under development.