Medium-sized POP 2010 at the Paskov Mine for the first time

STAŘÍČ – The deployment of one of the last “POP“ programmes in the OKD district was a historic moment for the Paskov mine. For the first time, medium-sized self-advancing roof supports appeared in its mining field. The 063 606 stope started trial operation in the second decade of October. The preparation began before the holidays already; equipment installation lasted until October. “For this reason, we had to replace the ropeway bucket at Chlebovice through which the sections were transported into the mine, because of a shorter route,“ Jiří Pokorný, Head of the Stoping Operation, informed.

The stope is located in the central working field between the fourth and the fifth level of the Staříč site and it is mined therefrom as well. “We have over a hundred Bucyrus 650/2000 sections and six Bucyrus 1070/2400 sections from the POP 2010 programme. Sections as high as that have never been in the shaft. Their size and weight surprised us at first,“ the Head of the Stoping Operation continued.

The new coalface is not typical of the local conditions. The Paskov mine is normally excavated one and a half metres deep; the thickness of the workplace mentioned above is two to three meters.“ Seam inclination is from 20 degrees to 25 degrees. The stope is 171 long; the target length is 640 meters,“ said Mr. Pokorný.

The miners who are among the most experienced at the shaft have been extracting about 200 tons per day till now.“ Slow trial operation is caused by the limited possibilities of ventilation. Above the new stope, excavation of 063 605 coalface is in the process of completion. We have to wait until they're done there,“ the Head of the Stoping Operation explained. The work at the stope should start at full speed in the second week of November.

In connection with this, the number of staff will increase from the current 70 to a total of 160 miners. “We hope that the new stope will increase the output from the Paskov Mine. We expect 1300 tons per day, which is a very good result,“ Mr. Pokorný added.

(Radek Lukša)