TKV: Mechanization in underground coal mining

In recent years, the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industry Group (TKV) has focused on investing in and applying modern science and technology to underground coal mining. This is the "key" to helping the Group increase productivity, output, and conserve mineral resources, making a significant contribution to sustainable development.

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

Currently, coal mining technology using frame and chain support systems is widely applied in TKV's underground coal mining units. The average capacity of longwall mining using this technology reaches 150,000 to 180,000 tons per year. Coal production from longwall mining supported by frame and chain systems accounts for nearly 50% of TKV's total underground coal production. In fact, the application of this technology has brought about a "double" benefit: not only creating a breakthrough in production and labor productivity but also increasing safety compared to previous coal mining technologies using wooden supports or single hydraulic supports.

During the 2011-2012 period, Mao Khe Coal Company implemented a trial of the ZHF1.600/16/24 hydraulic frame support technology in several longwall mining areas. To date, the company has expanded the ZHF1.600/16/24 hydraulic frame support technology to most long, inclined longwall mining areas, replacing single-column hydraulic support systems and XDY mobile hydraulic support systems. The 9BT seam longwall at levels -230m to -150m is one of three deep longwall mining areas within the Mao Khe Coal Company's underground mining project below -150m, operated by Mining Workshop 8. Currently, the production area in this longwall is using the ZHF 1.600/16/24 hydraulic frame support technology. The 243m long inclined longwall is supported by 240 sets of supports. With the seam thickness exceeding 4m, the application of the ZHF1.600/16/24 hydraulic frame support technology ensures that, in addition to face mining according to technical design, the coal remaining behind the frame support is fully recovered. As a result, the workshop's coal production reaches 950 to 1,000 tons per day, reducing coal resource losses.

Mr. Nguyen Duy Tung, Manager of Mining Workshop 8 (Mao Khe Coal Company), said: According to the 2023 production plan, the unit was assigned to produce 220,000 tons, which is the highest coal mining output of the Company. In reality, the application of ZHF 1.600/16/24 hydraulic frame support technology is suitable for the unit's geological conditions, helping to stabilize production and increase labor productivity. In the first quarter of 2023 alone, the unit mined more than 60,000 tons of coal, achieving 27% of the annual plan. Besides the efficiency in terms of productivity and resource saving, the application of this technology in production also significantly improves working conditions such as reducing dust and ensuring safety for workers.

Along with Mao Khe Coal Company, underground mines are currently accelerating the application of synchronized mechanization in coal mining, improving working conditions for miners and minimizing environmental impact. For example, TKV (Vietnam Coal Corporation) is promoting the application of new technologies in coal mining, such as the use of lightweight support systems at Khe Cham Coal Company; and the experimental application of chemicals to prevent roof voids and face collapses during mining and tunnel excavation at Khe Cham Coal Company and Uong Bi Coal Company.

In addition, the entire TKV (Vietnam Coal Corporation) currently has 10 fully mechanized mining lines in operation. These include 6 fully mechanized longwall mining lines with pillar layer extraction and roof 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 fully mechanized longwall mining lines with full seam thickness extraction at Khe Cham Coal Company, Duong Huy Coal Company, and Quang Hanh Coal Company; and 1 2ANSH complex for mining medium-thick, steep seams at Uong Bi Coal Company.

According to the roadmap, TKV aims to widely apply synchronous and semi-mechanized processes in the main stages of coal and mineral mining and processing by 2025; the output of fully mechanized coal mining will account for 20-25% of the Group's underground coal mining output. To realize this goal, TKV invests approximately 45-50 billion VND annually in research and development of scientific and technological potential and innovation. Research projects are closely linked to production, focusing on implementing scientific and technological tasks to promote the mechanization and modernization of coal and mineral mines, such as: Mechanizing the mining of thick seams with slopes up to 350 degrees using domestically manufactured self-propelled support systems; researching technological solutions and designs for mixed underground and open-pit mining; and increasing the level of mechanization and modernization of underground coal mining. Solutions aimed at meeting production demands, improving efficiency and safety levels in large-capacity underground and open-pit coal mines…

Projects and research topics applying mechanization in underground coal mining have become a "lever" helping TKV units achieve the goal of increasing labor productivity, ensuring safety, and improving working conditions for workers. In fact, the synchronized investment in equipment in coal mining by TKV has contributed to reducing the rate of resource loss in underground mining to below 20% (a decrease of 1 to 3% compared to the 2015-2020 period). As a result, labor productivity, calculated in terms of added value, has averaged more than 12% per year.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/co-gioi-hoa-trong-khai-thac-than-ham-lo-3239298.html