Ekibastuz coal basin: the history of discovery and the present

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:47

Kyrgyz steppes are a huge territory stretching from the Urals to the very foothills of the Tien Shan. But this is not just a vast area, but natural resources, various types of metals and polymetallic ores and coal basins.

Coal deposit in Kazakhstan

One of the largest coal deposits in Kazakhstan is the Ekibastuz coal basin. It is located in the Pavlodar region, near the Pavlodar-Astana railway line.

Total reserves are estimated at 10 billion tons. The enclosed pit covers an area of 155 sq. km., with a total length of 24 kilometers and a width of 8.5 km.

How was the coal found?

Back in 1886, the explorer Kosum Pshembaev (a self-taught geologist) submitted an application to his owner, in which he indicated the location of the deposit. At the same time, he marked the borders with two blocks of s alt, which he brought from a neighboring lake. From here came the modern name of the Ekibastuz coal basin - "Eki baz tuz", that is, "Two heads of s alt".

In 1893, a reconnaissance party was sent to these places to check the information. However, nothing was found and most likely it iswas due to the inexperience of the researchers.

In 1895, Kosum and his merchant Derov began a new search. They managed to lay an exploration pit near the western part of Lake Ekibastuz to a depth of 6.4 meters. They got excellent results, confirming that there is a powerful coal seam here. And in the same year, the merchant laid three exploration mines.

The riches of the Ekibastuz coal basin attracted the attention of other people. In 1896, the head of the mining party sent his assistant to these places, who determined that the deposit was indeed reliable. In the same year, Derov has already put into operation a small coal mine.

In 1898, a small settlement began to form on the western side of the lake, which then grew to the size of a city.

Modern Research

To date, the subsoil of the Ekibastuz coal basin has been fully explored. Research was carried out over 8 years, from 1940 to 1948.

Only the top three layers, consisting of a whole coal complex, are of importance for industry:

• 1 layer - 25 meters;
• 2 layer - up to 43 meters;
• 3 layer up to 108 meters.

Coal quality

In the Ekibastuz coal basin, coal is defined as high-ash, grade 1CC, that is, low-caking. Despite the fact that such coal is quite difficult to ignite, it has a long burning time, with a high degree of heat transfer. Ash content at the level of 40%, changing independing on the formation and with a high content of impurities.

Coal can be mined throughout the deposit.

Main purpose - use as fuel for power plants.

General chemical characterization (dry ash-free):

Moisture	hygroscopic	4%
	general content	6, 5%
Sulfur	total	0, 7%
	pyrite	0, 3%
	organic	0, 4%
Carbon		44, 8%
Hydrogen		3%
Nitrogen		0, 8%
Oxygen		7, 3%

Coal Basin Enterprises

Today, the Bogatyr mine belongs to Bogatyr Kemir LLP, which has been operating since 1965. The balance reserves of coal in the complex are about 1.18 billion tons.

This cut is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest on the planet.

The Vostochny mine of the Ekibastuz coal basin belongs to the Eurasian Energycorporation . The project was opened in 1985. It was here that, for the first time in the world practice, in-line production technology with conveyor vehicles was used. At the same time, in the section, the sloping occurrence of the layers. The company operates blending warehouses, which allows you to quickly respond to coal indicators in the face and ultimately ensure the same quality of raw materials. Therefore, coal from this mine is highly valued, as it allows power plants not only to increase efficiency, but also to reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.