The country is witnessing a fast depletion of shallow depth deposits. In order to maintain a constant supply of coal to meet demand in the coming years, we would require a higher level of mechanization of the underground mines and enhanced methods of coal exploration by deploying cutting technology to enable a higher rate of production. The conventional way of extracting coal from underground mines is slow and less productive; it also raises concerns for the safety of the people working in the mines and for the protection of the equipment being used.
Bolter Miner can do continuous cutting and simultaneous bolting at a very fast rate
India’s coal fields are geologically complex, which makes coal extraction from underground mines using the existing drill and blast method even more unsafe and unproductive. Continuous miner is a solution for mass production, but, in the real sense, the bolting for roof support is a separate operation and therefore cyclic.
The solution offered by the Sandvik Bolter Miner not only helps in achieving the required mechanisation but also ensures simultaneous bolting on roof and side ribs while cutting the full width of the desired gallery size, ensuring a high level of productivity along with safety.
More than 550 Sandvik Bolter Miners in operation globally
The high rate of adoption of Sandvik Bolter Miners by the mining industry across the world bears testimony to the product’s superior cutting speed, productivity, reliability, ruggedness, and lifespan (first bolter miner was introduced in 1992).
In India, Sandvik supplied its third Bolter Miner recently to MINOP (Minop Innovative Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) at Barora Mines of BCCL (a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd.). For this virgin mine, the customer had a target to extract 2 million tons of coal annually. After an extensive market research for the best solution, they decided on the Longwall Method of mining.
MINOP, a contractor of BCCL, challenged the Sandvik team in India to come up with a solution for faster roadway development in the Longwall Method of mining. Sandvik, with its global presence and expertise in roadway development, suggested its MB670-1 Bolter Miner, which can do continuous cutting with simultaneous bolting at a very fast rate. This, in turn, removes the cyclic operation of cutting followed by bolting. MB670-1 also eliminated the exposure of man and machine under the green roof (unsupported roof).
Considering the heavy investment involved in the Longwall Method of underground coal production, it is important to choose the right technology that enables a high return on investment. According to the company, the MB670-1 delivers high value to mine operators/owners with its unique feature of extremely high cutting cycle with simultaneous cutting and bolting, such that the entire width of a road can be made ready in one go.
Says MINOP’s director Navin Tulsyan, “We engaged with Sandvik’s Bolter Miner considering the company’s leadership in cutting technology. We also knew that Sandvik is committed to high maintenance standards and has a positive serving attitude. The MB670-1 bolter miner ensures very high safety standards in roadway development and we are looking forward to 50 to 60m of advancements per day at the Barora mines.”
Advantages of Sandvik 670-1 Bolter Miner
The Bolter Miner is the best solution for developing coal seams which eliminate the use of a dedicated roof bolter in the Bord & Pillar method of mining as well. Even if the roof condition is bad, the bolter miner offers a solution whereby a wire-mesh and W-straps can also be installed easily.
The Sandvik MB670-1 is helping users achieve the desired mechanisation while lowering the overall cost of mining operation and improving their profitability.
