SUEK, Moscow, Russia:

K. N. Kopylov, Technical Officer

Academician Melnikov Research Institute of Comprehensive Exploitation of Mineral Resources, Moscow, Russia:
S. S. Kubrin, Head of Laboratory, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences

NUST MISIS, Moscow, Russia:
S. N. Reshetnyak, Associate Professor, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, reshetniak@inbox.ru

The coal mining industry in Russia is being faced with new challenges, which creates background for raising competitive capacity of coal by means of reduction in underground mining cost using advanced technologies and energy-efficient and safe equipment. For a gas and dust outburst-hazardous coal mine, a new structure is proposed for longwall management, which will considerably improve mining safety. The comparative analysis of the current and innovation management structures reveals potential for staff reduction in longwall owing to application of automatic management system and due to maintenance staff operation arranged in a safe zone (ventilation roadway). The innovation structure of coal longwall management ensures uniform control depending on methane emission rate. Signals from the methane and dust sensors in the face area enter the integrated information system of the longwall which automatically generates control signals for the longwall assembly. This eliminates human factor and improves mining safety. The article discusses topical aspects of an unmanned underground coal mining technology in terms of SUEK mines. It is emphasized that the automatic longwall management is only possible after updating of basic equipment drives and introduction of energy-effective modes of operation. In particular, it is necessary to modernize drives of cutting machines, oil stations, spraying stations, armored face conveyors and crushers. To this effect, operation of the machines should be changed from the unregulated to regulated mode. As a result, it will become feasible to extend the life of equipment through smooth starting (fewer jerks) and lower power consumption of energy-effective modes of operation, which, finally, will offer reduction in coal production cost.

1. Wendt P., Zwickel G., Witke H. Optimal energy consumption owing to innovative usage of secondary heat resources. Chernye Metally. 2016. No. 8. pp. 54–58.
2. Ministry of Energy and Fuel-and-Energy Sector Performance in Russia in 2015. Mid-Term Objectives : Report. Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, 2016. Available at: http://minenergo.gov.ru/node/4912 (accessed: 17.12.2018).
3. Blak T. Eickhoff Automation Ensures Higher Safety and Quality – First Automated Face in Russia Started Operation. Ugol. 2015. No. 10. pp. 22–23.
4. Morozov V. I., Chudenkov V. I., Surina N. V., Yasyuchenya S. V., Kopylov K. N. et al. Cutter–loaders. Series: Mining engineer’s library. Moscow : Gornoe delo LLC «Kimmeriyskiy tsentr», 2014. Vol. 3. Underground mining. Iss. 10. 576 p.
5. Kubrin S. S., Reshetnyak S. N. Automated information and measuring system of technical accounting of electric energy in underground mining. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2016. No. 1. pp. 87–90. DOI: 10.17580/gzh.2016.01.18
6. Reshetnyak S., Bondarenko A. Analysis of Technological Performance of the Extraction Area of the Coal Mine. III^rd International Innovative Mining Symposium. Les Ulis : EDP Sciences, 2018. Vol. 41. DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/20184101014
7. Kopylov K. N., Kubrin S. S., Reshetnyak S. N. The importance of improving energy efficiency and safety of coal mine extraction area. Ugol. 2018. No. 10. pp. 66–71. DOI: 10.18796/0041-5790-2018-10-66-67
8. Kubrin S. S. Monitoring of Coal and Rock Mass Conditions, Coal Mine Air and Extraction Equipment State. Proceedings of the 8^th International Conference on Physical Problems of Rock Destruction. Beijing : Metallurgical Industry Press, 2014. pp. 454–460.
9. Lyakhomskii A. V., Petrochenkov A. B., Perfileva E. N. Conceptual design and engineering strategies to increase energy efficiency at enterprises. Russian Electrical Engineering. 2015. Vol. 86, No. 6. pp. 305–308.
10. Petrochenkov A. B. An energy-information model of industrial electrotechnical complexes. Russian Electrical Engineering. 2014. Vol. 85, No. 11. pp. 692–696.
11. Lyakhomskii A. V., Fashchilenko V. N. Theory and practice of conducting energy audits of enterprises mineral complex. GIAB. 2011. Special Issue 1. Proceedings of international scientific symposium «Miner`s Week-2011». pp. 525–529.
12. Pikon K., Bogacka M., Stanek W., Czarnowska L. Energy efficiency evaluation of coal production. Proceedings of the 15^th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference. Albena, 2015. Book 5, Vol. 1. pp. 259–266.
13. Semenov A. S., Kuznetsov N. M. An analysis of the results of monitoring the quality of electric power in an underground mine. Measurement Techniques. 2014. Vol. 57, No. 4. pp. 417–420.
14. Trubetskoy K. N., Ruban A. D., Zaburdyaev V. S. Justification methodology of gas removal methods and their parameters in underground coal mines. Journal of Mining Science. 2011. Vol. 47, Iss 1. pp. 1–9.
15. Bogacka M. Multicriteria analysis of coal mine. Proceedings of the 15^th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference. Albena, 2015. Book. 1, Vol. 3. pp. 493–500.
16. Ruban A. D., Artemiev V. B., Zaburdyaev V. S., Zaburdyaev G. S., Rudenko Yu. F. Problems of high longwall productivity under the conditions of high methane content. Moscow, 2009. 396 p.
17. Feng-Ke Dou, Yong-Shang Kang, Shao-Feng Qin, De-Lei Mao, Jun Han. The coalbed methane production potential method for optimization of wells location selection. Journal of Coal Science and Engineering (China). 2013. Vol. 19, Iss. 2. pp. 210–218.
18. Yazdani-Chamzini Abdolreza, Haji Yakhchali Siamak. A new model to predict roadheader performance using rock mass properties. Journal of Coal Science and Engineering (China). 2013. Vol. 19, Iss. 1. pp. 51–56.
19. Ning Wang, Zongguo Wen, Mingqi Liu, Jie Guo. Constructing an energy efficiency benchmarking system for coal production. Applied Energy. 2016. Vol. 169. pp. 301–308.
20. Zaburdyaev V. S., Kharchenko A. V. Technological solutions to ensure the high productivity of breakage faces in methane mines. GIAB. 2018. Special Issue 49. Underground coal mining in the 21^st century-2. pp. 182–188.