Technology

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Description of the technology

SMZ, a.s. Jelšava exploits one of the largest magnesite deposits in Europe. The basic mineral form of the mined raw material is magnesium carbonate – magnesite. In the deposit of Dúbravský masív it is found in an isomorphic mixture with dolomite and siderite.

Mining

Over approximately the last 20 years, the vast majority of raw material has been mined from underneath the earth by means of the overhead stoping method with inter-block pillars with backfilling of the mined areas. This method of mining, due to the elimination of large scale free spaces, increases the safety of the mining procedure; it enables selective separation of mined raw material and, based on defined quality criteria, it also prevents generation of dolomite waste rock piles. On the contrary, 50 % of the back-filling material comes from former waste rock piles originating from the excavation processes performed in the past.

       

Sketch of the block developed by the overhead stoping method with inter-block pillars:

As for hauling equipment, we use electro-hydraulic drills, bucket haulers, and front scoop loaders. Backfilling is mainly provided by means of wheeled haulers complemented with rail transport.

First stage of crushing

As for hauling equipment, we use electro-hydraulic drills, bucket haulers, and front scoop loaders. Backfilling is mainly provided by means of wheeled haulers complemented with rail transport.

ÚŤS

Rotary kilns

For the purpose of magnesite concentrates heat treatment, there are 3 rotary kilns available in the company.

 

Shaft furnaces

5 shaft furnaces plus using the processing line at the Bočiar site (near Košice) including calcinator and shaft furnace producing clinker made of pressed flyash

 

Production of basic monolithic refractory materials

Clinkers produced in ovens are subsequently processed by crushing, classification based on grain size and magnetic separation. Clinkers obtained in this way are either processed into special purpose basic refractory materials or used for the production of magnesite bricks with a wide range of applications.

 

Transport

Transport of products is performed via railway, road and sea transport

Rail transport

  

Road transport

Ship transport

 

Packaging

Transport of products is performed via railway, road and sea transport

Bulk

Big Bag

Paper Bag

Special

 

PROFIL

Magnesite works in Jelšava is the greatest mining and manufacturing magnesite plant in Slovakia. Nowadays, it is a property of joint-stock company and it has gone through over 100 years old history. During the time of its existence the company went through different kinds of transformation process. After breaking-up of the state concern SMZ Košice, on 1.1.1993 there was established the state concern SMZ Jelšava. On 16.2.1994 the plant was registered in the Commercial Register as a joint-stock company.

Contact

  • SMZ, a.s. Jelšava
    Teplá Voda 671
    049 16 Jelšava
    Slovenská republika