Last Large Excavator Leaves Coal Field in Schleenhain

A lignite excavator weighing approximately 1,000 metric tons crossed a federal highway in the Leipzig district this morning. The mining company Mibrag moved the large machine from the Schleenhain mining area to the Peres mining area of the Vereinigtes Schleenhain open-pit mine. 

The massive bucket-chain excavator traveled across the B176 near Neukieritzsch at a speed of six meters per minute. In addition, four drive stations and a belt conveyor were also relocated as part of the transport.

Mibrag announced that this marked the departure of the last large piece of equipment from the Schleenhain mining field. Coal production there is scheduled to end by the end of the year. The remaining work will be carried out by smaller excavators.

Rubber mats and soil protect the roadway

The federal highway had already been closed for the transport. To protect the road surface, the roadway was covered with rubber mats and a thick layer of soil. After the equipment has passed, the road will be cleaned and returned in a swept-clean condition. The closure is scheduled to end on Thursday morning.

The Vereinigtes Schleenhain open-pit mine originally consisted of the three coal fields: Groitzscher Dreieck, Schleenhain, and Peres. In the future, lignite will only be mined in the Peres mining field.