POP 2010 - PRODUCTIVITY OPTIMISATION PROGRAMME

Last year marked the first full year of operational efficiencies from POP 2010, a project that involved implementing state of the art longwall mining and drilling technology.

The investments in POP 2010 are delivering increased productivity and improved safety standards. Last year the number of occupational accidents in our mines dropped by 22 per cent to 271, from 346 in 2009. The annual LTIFR in the same period decreased from 12.00 in 2009 to 9.13 last year. The new equipment has also had a positive impact on reducing dust levels.

During the first and second phase of the POP 2010 project at the Darkov, Karviná and ČSM Mines a total of nine high-performance drilling sets with new generation type ex roadheaders were introduced. The roadheader is equipped with a newly designed Jet Rohr, verified by tests undertaken by Coal Research Institute in Radvanice, in the Czech Republic.

The roadheaders have an added height capacity and are able to bore larger sections of galleries. Every roadheader is equipped with a camera that automatically records and transmits drilling progress. These machines are equipped with a safer, state of the art ventilation system, together with dust-removing technology.

Having completed and seen the first benefits of POP 2010, we will now focus our attention on further optimising the efficiency of the new technologies, as well as further improving health and safety standards in line with our aim to reach zero harm levels.

Our Case Studies