ABSTRACT
Decades of Direct Sidecasting operation by overburden conveyor bridges have reached their climax. Conditions of lignite deposits are becoming more complicated. Good operating experience with bucket-wheel-excavator/cross-pit-spreader system (XPS) in coping with such conditions leads to further implementation of XPS in new surface mines of the GDR. Operating experiences with the XPS gathered in the Dreiweibern surface mine are illustrated, and four future surface mines scheduled to be operated in direct disecasting operation are introduced. Annual output rates reaching the 30 million cubic meter level per XPS are scheduled. The GDR manufacturers of surface mining equipment offer BWE/CPC systems meeting the requirements of open pit mining technology, with 18,000 m3/hr rated CPCs having boom lengths up to 225 m standing for the present state of development.
