China Coal commissions world’s first 550m longwall conveyor in Indonesia

By Dominikus

China Coal Energy Group Co., Ltd. said it has successfully delivered and commissioned the world’s first 550-metre ultra-long armored face conveyor (AFC) system for an underground coal mining operation in Indonesia, marking a breakthrough in longwall mining technology, according to the company last week.

The system, independently developed by China Coal, runs across the entire working face, with transfer and crushing systems operating in precise coordination and high-efficiency linkage, resulting in strong overall system performance.

Designed to address Indonesia’s challenging mining conditions, including sticky lignite, extended conveying distances, and highly humid and corrosive environments, the company said it mobilised its research capabilities to overcome key technical barriers. The project marks the first time a working face conveyor distance has exceeded 550 metres, supported by a newly developed adaptive intelligent speed control system that significantly enhances continuous operation.

The system has a conveying capacity of more than 3,000 tonnes per hour and installed power of 3 × 2,000 kW. Compared with conventional designs, the scraper structure has been optimized to reduce overall weight by around 6%, lowering operational resistance, reducing idle power consumption, and improving energy efficiency. China Coal said the equipment could generate additional annual production gains at the million-tonne level after commissioning.

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The main structure of the system was assembled locally in Indonesia prior to underground installation, reflecting partial localisation in project execution.

The deployment is understood to be associated with a China Qinfa-operated mining project in Indonesia. China Qinfa Group Limited, a Hong Kong-listed coal producer, has been expanding its presence in the country through its subsidiary PT Sumber Daya Energi in South Kalimantan, where it is developing coal mining, processing, and supporting infrastructure to scale up production.

China Qinfa reported that raw coal output from its continuing operations rose to 5.4 million tonnes in 2025 from 2.6 million tonnes a year earlier, driven mainly by production at the Sumber Daya Energi mine. Output at the site reached 5.42 million tonnes of raw coal and 3.15 million tonnes of washed coal in 2025.

The company is also advancing infrastructure at the site, including an existing coal washing plant with a capacity of 8 million tonnes per year that is being expanded by an additional 5 million tonnes per year to reach 13 million tonnes annually by April 2026. In parallel, China Qinfa is developing SDE Mine 2, designed to produce 10 million tonnes of coal per year, with commissioning targeted for April 2026. The group is also in discussions with a state-owned partner to develop TSE Mine 1, which is expected to produce between 8 million and 10 million tonnes annually.

In recent years, China Coal has been advancing its international operations, exporting high-end coal conveying equipment, mining chains, and water treatment systems to markets including Indonesia, Australia, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan. The company said it provides full lifecycle services covering equipment supply, installation, commissioning, spare parts and technical training, as it moves from product exports toward broader technology and service-based offerings.

Editing by Reiner Simajuntak