The descent of miners into the mining area begins after the latest production data is received in the situational center. If the ventilation and drainage at all sites are in order, and there are no incidents, the miners start their working day. On Miner’s Day, Izvestia correspondent Alexander Safiullin went down to the Progress mine in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and spoke about the working process.
The working day begins two hours before the descent – during this time, the miners are instructed, receive uniforms and equipment: a helmet, a lifeguard device – a special breathing device in case of an accident – and a flashlight.
Then check the light. Two modes should work – near and far. The self-rescuer is hung on the shoulder, and the miner goes to the shaft. Before that, he receives two tokens – for the descent and for the ascent. By the number of tokens, it is easier and faster to count the people who are in the trunk. Without a square, for example, they won’t let them into the cage – that’s what the miners’ elevator is called.
The cage moves at a speed of 7 m/s and plunges 1200 m underground. At this depth, the working is now located. The mine is already busy. The mined coal from the storage bunker is poured into a special pit, and then sent to the surface. Until the slaughter, the miners are driven by an electric locomotive or “human carriage”.
In 20 minutes from a slight swaying, you can even take a little nap. After all, there is a six-hour shift ahead. The first sensations in the face itself – there is less air, it is denser, the humidity is higher, and it is warm here.
The first descent is important. All recruits react differently. It is normal to breathe everywhere – a powerful ventilation system works, air is supplied through pipes to each working. One is just getting ready to launch. At the place of development, a special machine picks up the rock with a bucket, after which it will move along the belt and fall into the trolley.
Behind the lever of the machine is a sinker Sergey Chirkov, a hereditary miner, he has been mining for 20 years. Many people have been working in this company for generations. Sergey Bychkovsky also followed in the footsteps of his parents, first his grandfather, his father, now he has been mining coal for 30 years.
The mine is hard physical labor and high loads. Cleaning the rock with machinery is only a part of the process, a lot is still done by hand: fixings are installed, and rock is mined in some places of the slaughter. All this in heat, high humidity, with a risk to life and harm to health. But no coal yet. This includes metallurgy, the operation of thermal power plants, and even medical equipment. At the mine “Progress” they perfectly understand the value of their work. And even in such difficult times, they turn out to be a plus, make a profit and fulfill their professional duty.
Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated workers and veterans of the coal industry on Miner’s Day. He noted that the industry has developed traditions of valiant, selfless work and comradely mutual assistance.
In 2022, two dates are celebrated at once: the 75th anniversary of the professional holiday Miner’s Day and the 300th anniversary of the start of coal mining in Russia.
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