Resilience Analysis of the Armored Face Conveyor in Underground Coal Mining: A Case Study

Abstract

Armored Face Conveyor (AFC) is one of the most critical machines in mechanized underground coal mining, responsible for transporting extracted coal out of the mining workshop. Any failure of this machine halts other production-related equipment and ultimately stops mining operations within the workshop. Such disruptions result in capital loss and significant financial damage to the mine. Therefore, it is essential to study the failure behavior and analyze the reliability and maintainability of this equipment. Currently, the concept of resilience is employed to assess the ability of equipment and machinery to recover from failures and return to their operational state as quickly as possible. Emphasizing resilience in mining operations can lead to increased production, enhanced safety, and improved accessibility. This article aims to evaluate the resilience of the armored chain conveyor at the Tabas Parvadeh coal mine, the only fully mechanized coal mine in Iran. To achieve this, the critical subsystems of the machine are identified, followed by an assessment of its reliability and maintainability. Finally, the machine’s resilience is estimated and discussed based on its performance.