Coal Age

NOV 2015

Coal Age Magazine - For nearly 100 years, Coal Age has been the magazine that readers can trust for guidance and insight on this important industry.

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facility, where Luminant has been a com- munity member for more than four decades so far. It has big plans, too: the company pro- jects Liberty will help supply an average of nearly 3 million tons of lignite annually to the nearby Martin Lake power plant. The D-32 and D-33 draglines are criti- cal components to that plan, and their transport to Liberty was the largest effort of the group. The Model Marion 8750Ws each weigh in at 13 million lb with boom extending 330 ft. It took about 1,000 tires to support the weight of the units on their 8-mile and 15-mile strolls to the Liberty mine. Like the others, it took about 20 Luminant staff and 20 contractors to ensure each unit's journey went by safely and efficiently. Challenges and Opportunities Both Luminant and Mammoet are proud to report that the four moves were made successfully while they maintained a zero recordable injury record. "Safety was the main focus of the entire operation," Poland said, adding that there was a dedicated Luminant safety repre- sentative on location each day of each transport. Even the challenges of the projects were overcome with grace, which officials attribute to thorough, comprehensive planning. With three years to prepare, they were sure that every facet was examined. "In addition to this being a first-of-its- kind project, the biggest challenge included coordination with various state and local agencies and building multiple roads and bridges," Poland said. "Luminant employees also planned numerous dragline crossings over public roads, pipelines and overhead utility lines." Active reclamation activities are still ongoing across all of Luminan's mine sites. The Liberty mine is now entering its second year of operation. November 2015 www.coalage.com 27 l i g n i t e m i n i n g c o n t i n u e d A map of Luminant's mine holdings and plants in central and eastern Texas. When Sasol Synfuels in South Africa had problems with dust and spillage at their coal processing plant in Secunda, they knew to contact Martin. The new conveyor products from Martin were able to contain the fugitive material, minimized safety hazards and lost production WLPHDQGVLJQL¿FDQWO\ reduce maintenance and wash water usage. "We're very happy with the upgrades," stated Koos Meyer, Divisional Manager of the Eastern and Western plants. "The equipment is performing well, and the installation was neat and professional." In fact, Martin Engineering technicians have started work on a nearly identical project at Sasol's East Coal Processing Plant. "PROBLEM SOLVED" ISN'T JUST OUR TAGLINE, IT'S WHAT WE DO. call 1 309 852 2384 | email info@martin-eng.com | visit martin-eng.com ® Registered trademark of Martin Engineering Company in the US and other select locations. © 2015 Martin Engineering Company. Additional information can be obtained at www.martin-eng.com/trademarks. A GLOBAL FAMILY None of the draglines received any upgrades as part of the transport project, lending well to the rapid time in which crews were able to make the moves.

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