Russian steel producer Severstal has announced that its mining subsidiary Vorkutaugol will commission 11 new coal faces across all five of its mines during 2014. Nine of these new coal faces will commence production during the first half of the year.
The Severnaya mine is currently installing equipment ahead of the scheduled commissioning of a new face at the Chetvertiy seam in May. The mine is also finishing coal extraction at the face of the Moshniy seam and will commission a new coal face at that seam in June.
The Vorkutinskaya mine commissioned a new face at the Chetvertiy seam in January. While difficult geological conditions initially delayed production, owing to the hard work and skill of the mine's employees it is now due to extract 30,000-35,000 mt in April and May.
The Vorkutinskaya mine is also preparing to commission a giant face at its Troynoy seam: its length is around 317 meters and it has a seam thickness of 2.8 meters. Even though geological difficulties initially hampered the equipment installation phase, employees have overcome the issues and the mine's leading-edge equipment is now being installed. The first coal extraction at the face is planned for the end of April.