Coal Plant in Russia Digitizes Production Management
A new system improves efficiency across coal processing operations
Russia’s mining industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation, with companies increasingly automating production processes and adopting advanced technologies. One recent example is coal producer Kuzbassrazrezugol, which has implemented a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) across its coal preparation plants.
Built on domestic digital solutions, the system automatically analyzes processing data and evaluates equipment performance, creating end-to-end tracking of coal movement – from extraction to shipment of finished products. This allows the company to optimize processing operations, increase output, and reduce unplanned downtime through real-time oversight of all production stages.
Boosting Efficiency and Product Quality
At EVRAZ’s West Siberian Metallurgical Plant, an intelligent system has also been deployed in the lime calcination shop to monitor the granulometric composition of limestone. The tool tracks particle size on conveyor belts in real time and flags out-of-spec material, helping maintain consistently high product quality.
Meanwhile, Norilsk Nickel’s Polar Division has completed a pilot phase of digital transformation in drilling and blasting operations. At the Taimyr and Komsomolsky mines, computer models now analyze geological conditions in advance, determining optimal drilling locations and explosive loads. This reduces waste rock in extracted ore, improves drilling efficiency, and lowers production costs.
