Mining

RWE's lignite extraction in the Rhenish mining area deploys ultra-modern technologies. For example, our bucket wheel excavators are satellite-controlled to ensure precise steering and tracking of such large-scale equipment. This helps exploits further potentials in lignite mining. If we are to reach the valuable coal, overburden, too, must be shifted. The more precise the information we have about the location of the boundary planes, the lower the cutting losses in selective mining of the natural resource. So we not only make better use of the deposits, but spare resources as well.

Continuous analysis

Other projects concern the further developments in monitoring the many kilometre-long conveyor belts by sensors. The long-term aim is a link-up of the process-data systems, some of which are still installed on a decentralized basis, to form a unitary information network for the entire materials-handling process. This will enable RWE to derive an availability forecast based on the continuous analysis of all materials-handling systems, so that deployment and maintenance can be optimized.

Satellite-controlled equipment deployment

Twenty-one metres high, though moveable by the centimetre: RWE controls the gigantic bucket wheels of its lignite excavators by satellite technology. And this yields several advantages in one go.

Boundary plane analysis

RWE needs exact information about the properties of the soil in order to improve lignite mining. At present, two methods are being trialled with which the engineers can look into the earth.