MECHANISED COAL months to perform ,” RPMGlobal said . Parametric scheduling allows a planner to rapidly generate multiple scenarios quickly so they can investigate and refine the most attractive options .
“ The in-built intelligence in the UGCS solution does the heavy lifting , allowing engineers to focus on applying their skills to run different scenarios , deepen analysis and deliver more value ,” RPMGlobal said . “ It provides the engineer with tools that help them to identify options that deliver value that would have otherwise been overlooked .”
RPMGlobal Chief Executive Officer , Richard Mathews , expected UGCS to transform the scheduling of longwall operations .
“ In other commodities and mining methods where XPAC Solutions are available , we have seen a step change in the planners ’ mindset and capabilities ,” he said . “ Mine planners no longer need to be scripting experts and , with the workflow streamlining the process and Product Optimiser identifying optimum product paths , planners can focus on what they are trained to do .”
UGCS builds on XPAC Solutions ’ 40-year history and incorporates the introduction of a new , interactive , mixed method scheduling approach that combines the flexibility of manual scheduling with the benefit of automated scheduling . The user can select whether to schedule manually or automatically in any combination and from any point of the schedule , according to RPMGlobal .
This dynamic scheduling approach allows users to provide high-level guidance in terms of where each major item of equipment should work .
The automated features then work within this guidance , establishing the detailed tasks the equipment will perform , factoring in the ground conditions , cutting height , quantity of rock in the cutting profile and impact of nearby equipment .
This approach allows users to focus on the bigger scheduling issues at play with the comfort of knowing the detail is not being overlooked , RPMGlobal said . “ And because the schedule considers each individual continuous miner and longwall , UGCS provides an unparalleled level of confidence in the practicality of the mining sequences produced ,” it added .
UGCS also allows greater flexibility when changing and updating models . It generates working section composites from imported geological data that accounts for the capacity of the different equipment used at the mine , while reflecting loss of coal and dilution from the roof , floor and partings .
Working sections are used to create a detailed 3D mathematical model of the project that can be updated when changes occur , while ensuring the adoption of practical assumptions such as mining rate .
RPMGlobal ’ s Product Optimiser functionality is also available within UGCS . Product Optimiser determines the optimal way to blend , wash and stockpile coal products to maximise value from the mined coal . In addition to individual mining operations , it can be applied to complexes with multiple mines that use shared processing facilities .
It is support of a different kind that Corum Group , part of Ukraine-based DTEK Energy , is pushing in Turkey .
The company recently entered the Turkish market with a contract from coal mining company Imbat Madencilik for the pilot supply of KD90T 17.5 / 28 roof supports .
Entering new markets such as Turkey and India is one of the company ’ s key goals , approved within the framework of an adopted development strategy to 2030 .
“ The conclusion of a contract with Imbat Madencilik is an assessment of the quality of our company ’ s products and confirmation of the high qualification of the employees ,” Oleg Nesterenko , Director of Corum Trading , said . “ Due to mining and geological features in Turkey , coal mining is associated with other dangerous and complex challenges than in Ukraine . Therefore , occupational safety and modern technological solutions are in the foreground .”