Russian mining company, Mechel OAO, temporarily suspended longwall production at Southern Kuzbass Coal Co.’s New-Olzherassk mine. High levels of carbon monoxide were registered at longwall face No. 21-1-7, which is usually the result of coal self-heating.
Southern Kuzbass is working on measures to eliminate self-heating. The affected area has been flooded with nitrogen foam. Remote sampling will yield prompt information on the gas situation. The mine has a substantial stockpile and supply contracts will not be immediately affected. So far this year, New-Olzherassk mine has produced more than 250,000 metric tons of PCI coal.
