Alabama miner Warrior Met Coal, undergoing an expansion at its Blue Creek mine that includes more efficient coal transport, has retained Beumer Group for the construction of a long-distance overland conveyor.
The relative newcomer longwall mine and supplier said the scope includes a single-flight curved overland system for its 1,500-short-ton-per-hour system that will extend from its surface preparation plant to a train loadout station more than nine miles away.
“In cooperation with Warrior, we addressed the project-specific challenges,” said Daniel Schmillenkamp, CEO of Beumer Group Canada.
“The design and implementation are a testament to our commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions.”
He noted the project presented some challenges due to the difficult and hilly terrain of the proposed transport corridor. To find the most efficient solution, Warrior explored various transportation methods, including rail, troughed, and pipe conveyor systems.
In the last year, Beumer worked alongside Warrior to identify the most economical and technically feasible transport method and optimal route, resulting in a single conventionally troughed conveyor with 18 horizontal curves.
“Beumer’s holistic approach and our very close working relationship allowed us to expedite the design and procurement phase to move toward the completion of this time-sensitive project at a pace rarely seen in the coal or mining industries,” said Warrior Senior Vice President Of Engineering Philip Saunders.
The supplier noted it is responsible for engineering and procurement of all structural and mechanical components and multiple E-Houses with VFDs, MCCs, and PLC control systems. The conveyor system will utilize nine load-sharing drives to limit the overall belt tension.
Officials also said that 47% of the flight will be elevated to avoid natural features and minimize earthworks, and that the system will have more than 5,000 tons of steel for ground modules and elevated elements.
The overland conveyor is expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
Sources:Beumer and Warrior Met Coal
