Longwall #0-16-10's reserves, estimated at 435,000 tonnes, and the seam height in the area is 1.8 metres. The longwall is 200m long and has an extraction panel of 720m.

Also included with the system: a 134-section powered support system, a cutter-loader, a crusher, a longwall conveyor and a belt conveyor.

Mechel said its total investment in the longwall was 470 million rubles (US$6.46 million). The company said the entire longwall system is compliant with industrial and labour safety outlines.

"VI Lenina Underground Mine's reserves consist of coking coal with excellent quality characteristics, which is high in demand with coke producers," CEO Igor Khafizov said.

"Southern Kuzbass Coal will be working this new longwall for eight months. The concentrate we will produce from its coal will be marketed both domestically and internationally."

Southern Kuzbass Coal was initially formed in 1993. It has so far mined 335Mt.

Mechel also launched a new longwall at the mine in August 2019. That system came with 130 shield-type roof supports, and a shearer loader and worked in an area of the mine where average seam height was 3m.