Evraz launches Yerunakovskaya-VIII coal mine in Kuzbass
NOVOKUZNETSK. Feb 26 (Interfax) - Evraz plc's Yuzhkuzbassugol coal production unit has commissioned the Yerunakovskaya-VIII in the Kuznetsk basin (Kuzbass), Kemerovo region, an Interfax correspondent reports from the launch ceremony.
"Yerunakovskaya-VIII plans to produce 1.2 million-1.3 million tonnes of coal this year," the Kemerovo region's governor, Aman Tuleyev, said at the ceremony.
Evraz said in materials that the project's total costs were $390 million, of which $200 million had so far been absorbed. The remainder will be invested by 2014 to boost capacity from 2.5 million tonnes to 4.5 million-5 million tonnes.
Evraz said that according to survey results reserves of quality fat and gas fat coking coal (grade Zh and GZh) at Yerunakovskaya-VIII amount to 300 million tonnes, and the mine is expected to reach capacity of 2.5 million tpy by 2014.
The mine was designed and constructed with a special focus on operational safety. It has high-performance equipment, all extraction and conveying processes are automated, and full illumination is provided at the faces. A system of underground video monitoring of both working and development faces, as well as of all conveyor transport chains has been organized. Multi-functional position control, emergency alerts, and aerogas control systems have been implemented, and two degassing stations have been constructed.
New generation treatment facilities have been installed in the mine, providing multi-stage treatment and purification of mine and surface water, and in addition a new modern administrative household complex has been constructed.
"The construction of Yerunakovskaya-VIII is one of the priority projects for Evraz, and is in line with its strategy of business growth. Yerunakovskaya's launch will increase the production of quality coals, and strengthen the vertical integration of the company", said Alexander Frolov, Evraz CEO.
Yuzhkuzbassugol first aired plans to build the mine in 2005. The mine was supposed to go into production in 2007 but it was put on hold just before the crisis and not revived until 2011.