ABSTRACT
Brown coal has always played a very important role in Czechoslovakia’s economy. With insignificant reserves of oil and natural gas, and a limited hydro power potential, the country depends on coal to meet its energy needs. Coal has been industrially mined for more than 130 years in Czechoslovakia. The exploitation of coal deposits was so extensive, that within the North Bohemian coalfield up to 450 mines, most of them small, were operating at any one time. Very elaborate and unique mining equipment was designed to suit the mining conditions of Czechoslovakia. The surface mining of brown coal and lignite is concentrated in a number of large mines. For the transport of waste and coal, long distance belt conveyors with standardized belt widths are used. The development of continuous surface mining technology in Czechoslovakia is a result of cooperation between: the designers and manufacturers of mining equipment; and the users of this equipment.
