Coal quality controlled by Wirtgen surface miners at Gracanica-Gacko pit mine

摘要

Gacko coal pit mine, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has complex mining system, the combination of continuous and discontinuous mining systems operating on two mining fields. Mine deploys two Wirtgen surface miners for coal extraction cutting maximum 0,5 m coal slice. Surface miners' performances enable coal quality control essential for the strategic consumer thermal power station in Gacko. This article shows elements of mining operations and selective mining, achieving required coal quality. Gracanica-Gacko coal pit mine is one of the most important energy resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina. After approved reserves of 476 million tonnes of coal, exploitation started in 1977, reaching annual capacity of 1,8 million tonnes of coal and 3,2 million cu.m. of overburden. Exploitation field is separated in two mining fields: Field A and Field B. Both fields have an average stripping ratio of 2:1 m~3/t. In the vicinity of coal mine, Gacko I thermal power station is installed, producing 2 x 300 MW.