High-quality coking coal requires less than 10 percent moisture: a challenge for mechanical dewatering. A new process was developed and gradually installed, allowing for almost uninterrupted production. The coal was classified and a screen scroll, a vibration screen and a screenbowl centrifuge were used for medium, coarse and fine fraction, respectively. Jastrzebie Coal Joint Stock Co. (JSW) was founded in 1993, including five coal mines (Borynia, Jas-Mos, Pniowek, Zofiowka and Krupihski) and a material logistics plant. In the beginning of 2008, the Budryk Mine joined the group. Figure 1 shows a regional map where the different mining sites are indicated. JWS is also going to open a new coal deposit, Bzie-Debina, which will belong to the Zofiowka Mine. Starting from 2018, JWS envisions mining coal from 1100 m depths. The intention is to achieve 7000 million tpd of yield, with a possible expansion up to 12,000 million tpd. The budget for opening a new site with all of the necessary infrastructure, including new pit-shaft and underground machinery, is estimated to be 350 million US dollars. This new investment will allow Zofiowka to keep production levels almost unchanged over the next few decades.
展开▼
