(EnergyAsia, December 1 2011, Thursday) — Mechel OAO, a leading Russian mining and metals company, said it has resumed coal production at its New-Olzherassk underground mine.

The company suspended operations at the mine operated by subsidiary Southern Kuzbass Coal Company, in August 2010 for repair and upgrades.

By year’s end, the company expects the mine’s section # 21-1-7 to produce 352,000 tonnes of coal with reserves estimated at some three million tonnes.

Mechel said the mine is equipped with mechanised shield supports made by ZF of China and a shearer, a face conveyor and a rear conveyor by Joy Mining Machinery of Britain, enabling it to deploy a unique technology to access and mine a thick seam in a coal layer of up to 10 metres deep.