VGK Starts Installation of Largest Main Coal Conveyor in Russian Federation

Vostochnaya Mining Co. has begun assembling sections of the 23 km long mainline conveyor in the Russian Federation, which will connect the Solntsevsky coal mine with the Shakhtersk Coal seaport. Along with high economic efficiency, the project combines modern technologies, advanced environmental standards and safety.

The object under construction is a complex of main conveyors, including reloading nodes and an overpass, consisting of three sections. The highway is located in a technological corridor that includes a service road, power supply and communication lines, lighting and protective screens. The route was chosen, taking into account the terrain and technological features of the conveyor systems operation. The project provides for above-ground and above-ground sections of the flyover, depending on the need to cross water barriers and roads. In this case, the maximum height of the above-ground sections will reach 24 m.

The sections of the coal conveyor are mounted on a specially equipped site. The assembled structures are checked by the quality control service and delivered to the installation site. Work on the construction of the road, foundations, installation of structures are carried out in parallel at all sections of the conveyor.

To comply with technical regulations and control the assembly of structures, a leading specialist of the developer and supplier of equipment, the French company RBL-REI SA, arrived at the facility. During the visit, training seminars were organised on the features of installation and the principles of equipment operation. Together with Russian colleagues, work is being carried out to assemble and install equipment at the facility. As of the current moment, the first ground section of the main conveyor has been erected near the village of Nikolskoye, Uglegorsk district. Each section is made of galvanised steel. The weight of one section is 400 kg.

During the construction, the latest modern technologies are used. The speed of coal transportation along the main conveyor will be 5.5 m/sec. The facility under construction will enable the delivery of coal in the most environmentally friendly way recognised throughout the world. Shelters are installed along the entire length of the conveyor, and dedusting systems are provided at the transfer points. Installation of dust collecting systems at the transfer points will allow achieving dust and gas cleaning efficiency of at least 95%. Thus, dust and noise exposure will be significantly reduced after the conveyor starts.

The implementation of the facility will create additional jobs in the Uglegorsk region. As the project progresses, it is planned to recruit and train personnel to work on new high-tech equipment, attract highly qualified workers to operate the facility, and retain young specialists from the region.

The construction of a coal main conveyor is included in the list of priority projects in the Sakhalin Region. The volume of transportation of coal from the open pit to the port will double and, in the future, will reach 20 million tpy. The increase in productivity will significantly affect the increase in tax deductions and will positively affect the level of development of the socio-economic situation in the region.

The construction of the main conveyor is being implemented by the Eastern Mining Co. under the Free Port of Vladivostok regime, which applies to the Uglegorsk District. According to preliminary data, the total investment in the project will amount to more than RUB7 billion.