Boosting coal mining output, enhancing safety and improving working conditions for coalminers are the most important goals of the coal industry in the coming time. These objectives can be only realised when advanced technologies are applied, and machines replace humans in tough conditions.
In particular, underground coal output will grow gradually from 20.4 million tonnes at present to 40.6 million tonnes in 2015 (rising on average 14.7 percent year on year from 2010 to 2015) and account for more than 80 percent of the industry’s output in 2025. The underground coal mining is becoming more common as open pits are running out. Modern technologies and equipment have been used to boost productivity and safety, and reduce material loss.
Mr Nguyen Anh Tuan, Director of the Mining Science and Technology Institute, said investment for coal mining mechanisation is a must, a warranty for long-term and strategic development of coal industry.
In reality, mechanisation helps boost output and speed up mine digging (1.5-1.8 times faster than using dynamite.) In addition, mechanising dowel holes provides a better working environment and lighter work for miners, because main stages in technological processes like breaking coal and supporting are mechanised, thus reducing the number of workers in dowel holes.
To attain sustainable development, one important factor is to increase productivity and minimise the number of workers in the pit. To realise these targets, applying hi-tech to mining and digging is essential. Currently, The Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) has more than 32,000 coalminers and the force will rise to 50,000 people by 2020 if current manual technologies are continued. Meanwhile, recruiting coalminers is increasingly difficult.
A core value of technological investment is the ability to sustain growth in the context that pay for coalminers is rising. According to the roadmap, in the coming time, the coal industry will apply some incentive policies for coalminers to improve their living standards and ease manpower shortage. As a result, mechanisation in dowel holes, featuring higher productivity and less manpower, is a long-term practical solution to stabilise mine operations.
Minh Nghia
Vietnamese
