In addition to the transportation of rock mass, maintenance of conveyor lines, overhaul and current repairs of equipment, the process related to the optimization of conveyor lines operation continues in the conveyor transport areas.
One of the important stages of the programme is the switch of the feeders to automatic mode.
"A feeder is an important unit that controls conveyor line operation, rock mass distribution and conveyor utilization," notes Anton OREL, Deputy Director for Conveyor Transport of CG "Pokrovske". "At present, 29 units are used in the colliery group. More than half of them have been switched to partial automation mode. Three units are operating fully automatically, without presence of a person. Our task is to fully ensure the autonomous operation of the equipment. We are planning to implement this project by the end of 2023.
At the same time, the programme for installing video surveillance is also expanding at the conveyor transport areas. This is an obligatory part of automation system implementation, because it is owing to video cameras that the operation of the equipment switched to automation mode is monitored.
FACT
20 feeders in the conveyor transport areas are operating in automatic mode, three of them are in full automatic mode
Conveyor transport area No. 9 (CT-9) is one of the first areas where the feeders on the conveyor line operate in full automatic mode. There are two such units in the area. The miners note that this approach greatly simplifies the work with the equipment, makes the process safer, and also allows involving the employees, who previously controlled the work of feeders manually, in other areas of work.
To date, the preparation and installation of the necessary equipment continues at CT-1 and CT-12 areas. After the feeders are automated in the conveyor transport area, the work will begin in other areas where belt conveyors are used.
