The first of the longwalls - B-1 in seam 404/4+405/1, commissioned at the end of March, has a strike of more than a kilometer. Its reserves reach 1 million tons of very good quality coking coal. The longwall uses an automated longwall shearer equipped with 113 powered support sections, unified 1.75 powered support sections, a face conveyor and a bottom conveyor with an integrated pusher system. The sections’ operating range allows for mining of seams up to 4.7 meters thick, and up to 5.3 meters thick with the use of extensions. The system built in longwall B-1 was manufactured by Jastrzębskie Zakłady Remontowe. It is worth noting that for the first time in history, a shearer equipped with a system for monitoring the height of mining and undercutting of the floor was used in longwall B-1. In addition, the powered support sections are electrohydraulically controlled and are equipped with a system for continuous measuring of the geometry of their operation. Such control makes it possible to comprehensively handle the operation of the powered supports, the functions of a single section, a group of sections or full automation of the longwall. The powered support sections are also equipped with an additional sprinkler system for the zone in front of, behind and along the entire length of the shearer, which further reduces dust. The main advantage of this control system is the automation of the mining process, mainly through self-operation of the powered support, monitoring and maintaining the correct geometry and capacity of the sections. The system supports the diagnostics and archiving of emergency conditions, enabling the assessment of the efficiency of individual system components at any time, as well as the observation of changes in geological and mining conditions anywhere in the longwall system. Some of the solutions applied in the equipment operating in longwall B-1 are initiatives implemented as part of the Effective Mine part of the Strategic Transformation Plan. JSW mines operate 17 longwalls equipped with powered support capacity monitoring systems, the information from which is used to maintain roof stability.
The second longwall put into operation in Pniówek is longwall N-4 in seam 404/4, which has a strike of 730 meters, a length of 210 meters and a height of 2.1 meters. There are currently five longwalls in operation in Pniówek. In addition, work is being carried out on the outfitting of another longwall - C-2 in seam 362/1. In total, as many as nine longwalls are planned to be put into operation this year in seams 363, 401/1, 404/4 and 361.
“The Pniówek mine is in the process of renewing its mining fronts, which was necessary after the April 2022 disaster. Now the mine is returning to operating longwalls with longer strikes, which were standard before the disaster. In addition, we are introducing Efficient Mine initiatives in the new longwalls, which are expected to translate into higher output and increase the safety of miners working in the longwalls," says Adam Rozmus, Vice-Presidents of the JSW SA Management Board for Technical and Operational Affairs and acting Vice-Presidents of the Management Board for Development.
