Honeywell system for safer Chinese coal mines

Brusssels — Chinese coal producer Datong Coal Mine Group (DCMG), has selected Honeywell’s Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) to help it improve the safety and operating efficiency of its mining operations. The $2.5-million contract includes design, engineering, commissioning, testing and maintenance services. Project implementation commenced earlier this year and the entire project is to be completed this month, Honeywell said 5 Sept.

The Chinese government is seeking to implement stricter safety regulations in its burgeoning coal industry, which produced around 2 billion tonnes last year.

“One of the primary challenges we face today is how to increase safety and, at the same time, improve operational efficiencies to maintain a strong competitive edge,” said Jia Haitang, chairman of Datang Tashan Coal Mine Ltd, part of DCMG. The PKS, he added, will enable the company to achieve a higher level of automation control capability and build a better safety environment.

Efforts to increase coal output increase the miners’ exposure to the danger, said Thomas Liu, managing director, Greater China region, Honeywell Process Solutions. “The Mining Safety Surveillance System keeps an eye on more than productivity – it ensures a high level of coal mine safety.”

The Chinese contract covers Honeywell’s Mining Safety Surveillance system, comprising its Experion PKS platform, Digital Video Manager, e-Server and Event Initiated Processing (EIP). The package, said the supplier, will help Datong to reliably control and monitor all underground and above-ground equipment and meet its production requirements.