ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the technical solutions which were implemented in the Belchatow lignite mine in Poland to permit the selective conveying of lignite, waste, and by-product materials, as well as the homogenization of lignite. The Belchatow mine excavates 155 Mbm3 of various materials annually. Of this, approximately 20% is lignite, the remainder is overburden waste and partings. The mined lignite may be routed in 60 different ways, from its starting bench to its final destination, either the power plant or the load-out facility. The stockpiles in the yard may contain up to 600000 tonnes of lignite. The lignite collector conveyors deliver lignite either to the homogenization yard, or if no homogenization is required, directly onto the power plant feed conveyors. The experiences of the Belchatow mine with selective conveying systems prove that such system is both technically and economically feasible.
