TKV: Mechanization in underground coal mining

In recent years, the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (TKV) has focused on investing in and applying modern science and technology to underground coal production. This is the “key” to helping the Group increase productivity, mining output and save mineral resources, making an important contribution to sustainable development.

The light mechanized longwall furnace with a capacity of 300,000 tons/year of Ha Long Coal Company - TKV is providing stable coal mining output.

Currently, the technology of coal mining using longwalls with support frames and chain racks is widely applied in underground coal mining units of TKV. The average capacity of longwalls applying this technology is 150,000 to 180,000 tons/year. The output of coal mining from longwalls with support frames and chain racks accounts for nearly 50% of the total underground coal output of TKV. In fact, through the application of this technology, it has brought about a "double" effect, not only creating a breakthrough in output and labor productivity but also increasing the level of safety compared to coal mining technologies using wooden forks and single hydraulic forks in the past.

In the period of 2011-2012, Mao Khe Coal Company deployed the experimental application of the ZHF1,600/16/24 hydraulic frame technology at some longwalls. Up to now, the Company has expanded the ZHF1,600/16/24 hydraulic frame technology to most longwalls, horizontal and inclined, replacing the single hydraulic column-supported longwalls and the XDY mobile hydraulic frame longwalls. The 9BT longwall at the level of -230m to -150m is one of the three deep longwalls in the underground mining project below -150m of Mao Khe Coal Company, operated by Mining Workshop 8. Currently, the production area at this longwall is applying the ZHF 1,600/16/24 hydraulic frame support technology. The length of the longwall in the slope direction according to the design is 243m, supported by 240 sets of supports. With the characteristic of a seam thickness of over 4m when applying the ZHF1.600/16/24 hydraulic frame rack technology, in addition to the mirror reduction according to the technical design, the coal after the frame rack is completely recovered. Thanks to that, the coal output of the workshop reaches 950 to 1,000 tons/day and reduces the rate of coal resource loss.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Tung, Manager of Mining Workshop 8 (Mao Khe Coal Company) said: According to the production management plan for 2023, the unit is assigned to produce 220,000 tons, this is the highest coal mining output of the Company. In fact, when applying the ZHF 1,600/16/24 hydraulic frame support technology, it is suitable for the geological conditions of the unit, helping to stabilize output and increase labor productivity. In the first quarter of 2023 alone, the unit exploited more than 60,000 tons of coal, reaching 27% of the yearly plan. In addition to efficiency in terms of productivity and saving resources, the application of this technology to production also significantly improves working conditions such as reducing dust and ensuring safety for workers.

Together with Mao Khe Coal Company, underground mines are currently promoting the application of synchronous mechanization in coal mining, improving working conditions for miners, and limiting environmental impacts. Typically, TKV promotes the application of new technologies in coal mining such as the technology of applying super-lightweight scaffolding at Khe Cham Coal Company; applying chemical testing to prevent roof hollowing and mirror collapse during mining and tunneling at Khe Cham Coal Company and Uong Bi Coal Company.

In addition, TKV currently has 10 synchronized mechanized mining lines in operation. Of which, 6 synchronized mechanized longwalls, cutting off pillar layers, and coal recovery infrastructure at Ha Lam Coal Joint Stock Company, Vang Danh Coal Joint Stock Company, Khe Cham Coal Company, Nui Beo Coal Joint Stock Company and Mong Duong Coal Joint Stock Company; 3 synchronized mechanized longwalls, cutting off the entire seam thickness at Khe Cham Coal Company, Duong Huy Coal Company and Quang Hanh Coal Company and 1 2ANSH complex mining medium-thick, steep seams at Uong Bi Coal Company.

According to the roadmap, TKV aims to widely apply synchronous and semi-mechanization to the main production stages in coal and mineral mining and processing by 2025; the output of synchronous mechanized coal mining accounts for 20-25% of the Group's underground coal mining output. To realize this goal, every year, TKV invests about 45-50 billion VND in research, investment in developing scientific and technological potential, and innovation. Research topics are all closely linked to production, focusing on implementing scientific and technological tasks to promote mechanization and modernization of coal and mineral mines, such as: Mechanization of mining of thick seams, slopes up to 350 degrees using self-propelled support rigs manufactured in Vietnam; research on technological solutions and design of mixed underground and open-pit mining; improve the level of mechanization and modernization of underground coal mining; Solutions to meet output, improve efficiency and safety of large-capacity underground and open-pit coal mines...

Projects and topics on applying mechanization in underground coal production have become a "lever" to help TKV units achieve the goal of increasing labor productivity, ensuring safety and improving working conditions for workers. In fact, TKV's synchronous investment in coal mining equipment has contributed to reducing the rate of resource loss in underground mining to less than 20% (a decrease of 1 to 3% compared to the period 2015-2020). As a result, labor productivity calculated by average added value reached more than 12%/year.

Source