Coal: extraction in Russia and in the world. Places and methods of coal mining

The coal mining industry is the largest segment of the fuel industry. Throughout the world, it surpasses any other in terms of the number of workers and the amount of equipment.

What is the coal industry?

The coal mining industry implies the extraction of coal and its subsequent processing. The work is carried out both on the surface and under the ground.

If the deposits are at a depth of not more than 100 meters, the work is carried out in a career way. For the development of the field at great depth, mines are used.

Classical methods of coal mining

Work on coal mines and underground is the main means of mining. Most of the work in Russia and in the world is conducted in an open way. This is due to financial benefits and high production rates.

The process is as follows:

• With the help of special equipment, the upper layer of the earth covering the deposit is removed. Several years ago, the depth of open works was limited to 30 meters, the latest technology allowed to increase it by 3 times. If the top layer is soft and small, it is removed using an excavator. A thick and dense layer of earth is pre-crushed.
• Coal deposits are discarded and taken away with the help of special machinery to the enterprise for further processing.
• Workers restore natural relief in order to avoid harm to the environment.

The drawback of this method lies in the fact that coal deposits, which are at a shallow depth, contain impurities of mud and other rocks.

The coal extracted in the underground way is considered to be more pure and qualitative.

The main objective of this method is to transport coal from great depths to the surface. For this purpose, passages are created: an adit (horizontal) and a shaft (inclined or vertical).

In the tunnels, coal mines are cut by special combines and loaded onto a conveyor, lifting them to the surface.

Underground method allows to extract a large amount of fossil, but it has significant disadvantages: high cost and increased danger for workers.

Non-traditional methods of coal mining

These methods are effective, but do not have a mass distribution - at the moment there are no technologies that allow to fine-tune the process:

• Hydraulic. The extraction is conducted in the mine at great depth. The coal layer crumbles and is delivered to the surface under a strong head of water.
• The energy of compressed air. It acts as a destructive, and lifting force, compressed air is under strong pressure.
• Vibroimpulse. The layers are destroyed under the influence of powerful oscillations formed by the equipment.

These methods were used even in the Soviet Union, but did not become popular because of the need for large-scale financial investments. Only a few coal companies continue to use non-traditional methods.

Their main advantage is the absence of workers in potentially hazardous areas.

Leading countries

According to the statistical data of world energy, the rating of the countries occupying leading positions on coal mining in the world is made:

1. PRC.
2. USA.
3. India.
4. Australia.
5. Indonesia.
6. Russia.
7. SOUTH AFRICA.
8. Germany.
9. Poland.
10. Kazakhstan.

For many years, China has been leading in terms of coal production. In China, only 1/7 of the existing deposits are being developed, this is due to the fact that coal is not exported outside the country, and available reserves will last at least 70 years.

In the United States, the fields are evenly scattered throughout the country. With their reserves, they will provide the country with no less than 300 years.

Coal deposits in India are very rich, but almost all the volume extracted is used in the energy industry, since the available reserves are of very low quality. Despite the fact that India occupies one of the leading positions, in this country artisanal methods of coal mining are progressing.

Coal reserves in Australia will last for about 240 years. The extracted coal has the highest quality assessment, a significant part of it is intended for export.

In Indonesia, the level of coal production is growing every year. A few years ago, most of the extracted was exported to other countries, now the country is gradually refusing to use oil, and therefore the demand for coal for domestic consumption is growing.

Russia has one-third of the world's coal reserves, yet not all the country's lands have been reported.

South Africa has all chances to rise higher in the rating - for the last 30 years the level of coal mining in this country has grown 4-fold.

Germany, Poland and Kazakhstan are gradually reducing the volume of coal mining due to the non-competitive cost of raw materials. Most of the coal is intended for domestic consumption.

The main places of coal mining in Russia

Let's understand. The extraction of coal in Russia is carried out mainly in an open manner. Deposits throughout the country are scattered unevenly - most of them are in the eastern region.

The most significant coal deposits in Russia are:

• Kuznetsk (Kuzbass). It is considered the largest not only in Russia, but also in the whole world, is located in Western Siberia. There is mining of coking and coal.
• Kansko-Achinskoye. Here, brown coal is mined. The deposit is located along the Trans-Siberian Railway, occupying part of the territories of Irkutsk and Kemerovo region, Krasnoyarsk Territory.
• Tunguska coal basin. It is represented by brown and stone types of coal. It covers part of the territory of the Republic of Sakha, the Irkutsk region and the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
• Pechora coal basin. This field produces coking coal. Works are conducted in mines, which allows to produce high-quality coal. It is located in the territories of the Komi Republic and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.
• Irkutsk-Cheremkhovsky coal basin. It is located on the territory of Verkhny Sayan. Provides coal only nearby businesses and communities.

To date, the development of another 5 deposits, which are capable of increasing the annual volume of coal production in Russia by 70 million tons.

Prospects of coal mining industry

The world has already explored most of the coal deposits, from the economic point of view, the most promising belong to 70 countries. The level of coal mining is growing rapidly: technologies are being improved, equipment is being modernized. Due to this, the profitability of the industry rises.