Rehabilitation of the Tamnava West Field coal mine

• Two-thirds of electricity generation in Serbia depend on coal-fired power plants, which are mainly supplied with domestic lignite.
• The coal reserves in the Tamnava East, part of the Kolubara basin with the most important coal deposits in the country, were almost exhausted in 2007.
• Consequently, coal mining in Tamnava West was of vital importance for the supply of coal power plants Nikola Tesla A and B, the largest power plants in Serbia.
• At the same time, it was necessary to mitigate harmful effects of degradation of the environment.

The aim was to enable efficient coal mining in Tamnava West in order to ensure a reliable power supply as a condition for sustainable economic growth. This was achieved through the construction and commissioning of five components of the coal mining system (bucket wheel excavator, belt conveyor, skimmer, power supply system and operational control of the drive station). In addition, this approach included planning of the open pit mine’s further development. Special training sessions with EPS staff focused on the development of a recultivation plan, modern hydrological modelling and drainage measures. The project also included the preparation of an environmental plan that set the standards for the plant and subsequent reclamation of the mine. By recultivating the bottom of the open pit it should be made arable for agriculture.

The program:

• enabled the efficient mining of coal,
• contributed to a more stable power supply in Serbia.