APPLIED GEOLOGY IN THE SERVICE OF EFFICIENT EXPLOITATION, COAL DEPOSIT " FIELD G", KOLUBARA COAL BASIN, SERBIA

Abstract

Given that about 90% of the excavated Kolubara lignite is intented for thermal power plants, from which more than 60% of electricity in Serbia, it is extremely important that the exploatation of coal takes place first of all safely and effciently. By implementing these solutions, a more profitable production of electrity is achieved, which results in a lower consumption of fuel oil in the proces. In the past period at the Kolubar mines, exploitation took place within the upper structural floor where the depth of the coal-bearing series is small, i. e. in the area where there were good tehnical conditions for performing mining works. Namely, in the unmined part of the basin, deposit conditions are significantly more complex, the quality of coal is not uniform, and it is necessary to comply with the reguirements of thermal power plants for the delivery of such coal, environmental protection laws are increasingly strict, so comprehensive geological knowledge must provide a strong support for mining activity. Elaborate on reserves and quality of coal, as well as Mining projects define the entire research area and excavation technology, but applied geology should provide concrete guidelines for futher research so that the geological foundations based on the obtained results are aditionally updated, i. e. gain accuracy. Apart from the creation of high-quality geological fondations, it is very important to recognize good practices that should be continued, and also to assess what could be improved or upgraded. In this paper, through the interpretation of structural maps of the coal seam and accompanying sediments, analysis of coal quality, as well as the stability of the working and final slopes in the excavation, some obsevations and suggestions that can be useful in the exploitation process are given.