This is the sixth fully automatic plow system to be delivered to the Commonwealth of Independent States (formerly the USSR). At Kuzbass coal mines equipment manufactured by DBT has been successfully used for many years.
With drive power of 2 x 400kW, the GH 9-38 plow offers maximum cutting depth at high plow speed for high productivity. The plow allows easy height adjustment and high rates of advance even in very low seams.
A PMC-R roof support control system with central computer allows fully automatic unattended operation.
The contract also includes a 45m PF 4/932 stage loader with 1 x 315kW drive and a 1 x 132kW SB0909 crusher.
The plow will be first installed at Novaya-2’s face number 603. The longwall is 252m long with an average seam height of 1m.
This equipment purchase for the Novaya-2 mine is part of Belon Group’s strategic plan for the development and modernisation of Kuzbass coal mines.
The Novaya-2 mine produces metallurgical coals of “Zh” grade and has the outstanding feature that the coal seam has a uniform thickness of 0.74–1.15m. The mine was purchased by the Belon Group in March 2006.
According to initial estimates, investment in the mine will total some 1.2 billion roubles ($US45.8 million). Over the next few years, Belon plans to increase the mine’s annual production to 1 million tonnes.
