A major overhaul at the mine named after Kolachevsky at Central Iron Ore lasted three weeks in parallel with a scheduled pelletising plant shutdown at the enterprise. During the works, specialists replaced a jaw crusher's frame and conducted a thorough technical inspection of other equipment. Metinvest allocated UAH 18.7 million for the comprehensive repair work.
Repair works were planned for equipment across the entire process chain of the mine. Specialists worked on the crushing and hopper complex and inner-mine transport, where they repaired the upper structure of the rail track and a 5-cubic-metre excavator used for loading ore onto the crushing plant. Additionally, they performed repair works to support stable functioning of the mine's belt conveyors, a total of five surface conveyors and a plate feeder. At the lowest level – minus 680 metres – specialists conducted replacement of the belt on an underground belt conveyor.
"This comprehensive work was subordinated to our main task of replacing the CMD-118 jaw crusher's frame. Its function is to crush ore from a size of 900-1200 mm down to 150 mm. The last time we replaced the frame was in 2011, namely thirteen years ago. The equipment served us even longer than projected and already required restoration," explained Oleksii ZAHRIEBAIEV, deputy head of engineering at Kolachevsky mine at Central Iron Ore.
In the process of replacing the frame, a challenging task fell to the mine hoisting section, as the crusher's main components weigh between 5 and 10 tonnes, which exceeds the lifting capacity of the cage hoist. Therefore, mine specialists performed the necessary calculations, including load calculations for the machine, carried out additional counterweight loading, and manufactured and used a series of devices that ensured the safe lowering of heavy elements from the surface to the minus 651 metre level. All these works were carried out by the mine team independently without engaging special equipment, meaning without additional costs.
All other types of repair works conducted are included in the list of annually performed maintenance to keep the mine's equipment in proper condition. Specialists regularly repair emergency sections of the rail track, conduct scheduled annual repair works and technical maintenance for belt conveyors and equipment of the crushing and hopper complex.
This year's repair of mine equipment will allow Central Iron Ore specialists to work stably, fulfilling planned tasks. The enterprise notes that the next comprehensive repair and technical inspection of mine equipment is scheduled for 2026.
