Smart technology makes coal mining safer and more efficient in Shanxi

A technological revolution is underway in Shanxi province — a crucial comprehensive energy base for China — driven by the adoption of smart technologies in the coal mining industry.

Early in the morning, at the working site of the ChinaCoal Pingshuo Development Group's East Open-pit Mine in Shuozhou, unmanned mining trucks move smoothly along preprogrammed routes, while massive electric shovels precisely excavate under the remote control of operators.

"After loading, I send an instruction through the controller, and the truck automatically speeds to the disposal site," said Xin Wei, an electric shovel driver with 13 years of experience. "I've been coming to the mine with my father since I was a child. After the intelligent transformation of the coal mine, everything is different."

Pointing to the buttons on his controller, Xin explained, "This electric shovel can load 100 metric tons per scoop. My job is to strip the rock above the coal seam, load the rocks onto the trucks, and transport them, preparing for coal extraction."

Inside the East Open-pit Mine's dispatch and emergency command center, a constant flow of data replaces the usual noisy rumble.

"Although I am a worker, I am now more like a technician," said Wang Xiao, a platform operator, standing in front of six monitors that allow him to simultaneously control two drilling rigs. "I've been using the equipment for more than four years. Now I can complete operations and maintenance remotely, and the working environment is also much better."

As a key production mine of the ChinaCoal Pingshuo Development Group with an annual capacity of 25 million tons, the East Open-pit Mine has seen a steady increase in daily raw coal production since the beginning of this summer. In 2020, the mine was designated as one of the first national intelligent demonstration coal mines and began its "intelligentized" construction. By 2023, it passed national acceptance, reaching the intermediate level of intelligentized demonstration coal mines, achieving green, safe and efficient unmanned or minimally staffed mining. "At present, the efficiency of unmanned drilling rigs has increased by about 10 percent, and the failure rate has decreased by 60 percent," said Gao Feng, manager of the East Open-pit Mine's smart business.

However, he said that challenges remain in coordinating unmanned trucks and electric shovels. "When trucks enter the electric shovel loading area, they move slowly, and both are large pieces of equipment, so there may be signal delays, resulting in slow data transmission and reduced efficiency," he said.

He emphasized: "We continuously upgrade and improve our smart systems and equipment. The core of intelligentized construction is 'fewer people on site, or even no people on site', freeing up on-site workers to move to background operations or remote control in offices."

While the East Open-pit Mine relies on surface extraction, the majority of Shanxi's coal is mined underground.

The Tashan Coal Mine of Jinneng Holding Coal Industry Group, located in Datong city, is also one of the first national intelligent demonstration coal mines. With an annual capacity of 25 million tons, its production level has continuously improved since the start of its intelligentized construction in 2020.

"The application of smart systems and inspection robots has enabled unmanned operations in multiple positions, reducing the number of workers by 108 and significantly reducing labor costs," said Chen Jianlong, director of the Informatization Management Department of Tashan Coal Mine. He explained that through "5G plus Smart Mine" technology, mine production efficiency and safety assurance have been significantly improved.

He revealed future plans to deepen the integration of 5G with artificial intelligence and the internet of things, focusing on research into complete sets of intelligent, fully mechanized mining technology for extra-thick coal seams and intelligent rapid tunneling technology to further enhance the mine's safety, intelligence level and economic benefits.

Data shows that Shanxi has built 298 smart coal mines, with a production capacity accounting for 65.5 percent of the total production capacity of operating coal mines, ranking first in the country. This year, Shanxi will build another 130 smart coal mines, with the goal of achieving basic intelligentization for all normally operating coal mines in the province by 2027.

"The biggest feeling after using smart equipment is that it saves effort and concern, ensuring 'less running around, less worry, and less danger'," said Wang Weiguang, a technician who has been working in coal mines for many years.

"In the past, I had to walk more than a dozen kilometers underground for inspections every day. Now, I can see the speed and temperature of the conveyor belt in real time by looking at my mobile phone. If the system encounters an abnormality, it will directly trigger an alarm."

He added, "Smart inspection robots and remote monitoring systems are so practical. Sitting in the control room, I can check the temperature and operating status of underground equipment in real time, and the system can automatically sound an alarm for abnormal situations."

In recent years, while ensuring the supply of coal for electricity generation, Shanxi has actively built a new energy system, simultaneously developing wind power, photovoltaic power generation, hydrogen energy and other new energy sources to promote the continuous optimization of its energy structure.

Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn