Control of coal output at the Hambach opencast mine

In order to ensure the reliability of supplies, both quantitatively and qualitatively, to the power plants and upgrading plants, a complex system to control coal mining is nowadays essential in the opencast mines of Rheinbraun AG. This system is based both on accurate daily scheduling for the bucket wheel excavators that are used in the mining process and also on accurate management and control of the bunker supplies. Furthermore, an evaluation of records and reports is also necessary in order to subsequently monitor the development of the coal output. Taking Hambach opencast mine as an example, the means employed for this purpose and their correlation will be discussed. Scheduling already includes a qualitative classification of the coal face prior to the mining process. The correlation of quantity and quality and the fact that block working sequences are specified in advance result in accurate daily scheduling of excavator operations.