Procedure of selective extraction of low-ash coal in the Apsat field at nearvertical dip of seams

The procedure of selective low-ash coal extraction at near-vertical dip of seams is proposed as a method of coal production quality control at the stage of the coal face work. The sequence of operations on in-seam coal quality appraisal, low-ash coal block identification and production management is presented. The flow chart of the open cutting by hydraulic excavator Liebherr 954 is proposed. Conditions of the Apsat coal field as a new coal production object involved in commercial development in Eastern Siberia are briefly described. It is emphasized that the deposit is very difficult in terms of geology and economics, is rated as the mining object of the highest difficulty and has no analogs in the world. Operating since 2012, the Apsat open pit mine has currently no coal dressing facilities. The Apsat premium grade K coking coal is a high-quality feedstock for the metallurgy. Considering the current deficit of high-quality coking coal in the market, the Apsat grade K coal can find demand both in Russia and abroad. For this reason, in the framework of the demand analysis, it is required to locate and extract grade K coal with ash content not more than 11%. Thus, it would be possible to produce grade K concentrate with a preparation plant. Application of the selective extraction procedure for low-ash coal with additional quality control and using the dedicated process flow chart enabled shipment of pilot lot of grade K coal with ash content of 10.1% to consumers. The low-ash coal can be directly delivered to metallurgical plants without extra expenditure connected with preparation.

Dulin D. V. Procedure of selective extraction of low-ash coal in the Apsat field at nearvertical dip of seams. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2020;(2):5-12. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/02361493-2020-2-0-5-12.

Dulin, Chief Engineer, Ltd «Arctic Development»,
674159, Novaya Chara, Russia, e-mail: dulindv@suek.ru.

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