In September, EMCO began to lay the foundation for a 23-kilometer overland coal conveyer which will connect Solntsevsky Coal Mine with Shakhtersk sea port, as a part of its current project in Sakhalin. Currently, the construction works are held near Olkhovka settlement. 

The works include excavation of a pit with concurrent replacement of heaving soil with the draining one, earthworks to make the foundation base, and laying foundation slabs onto the preliminarily prepared base.

The construction of the conveyer line is of high complexity due to geological conditions and rugged terrain. Thirteen kilometers of the conveyor line will run along weak soils, so this part will be reinforced with piled monolithic foundations to ensure its stability; in case of firm soils, block foundations are used. According to calculations, laying monolithic foundation requires 5383 piles to be driven in. The foundation works will be followed by installation of the conveyor equipment supplied by RBL-REI SA, a French company,  which is ranked among the world leaders in engineering of such  systems. The first part of the equipment will be delivered to Uglegorsk region by the end of September. 

Erection of the conveyor axis is carried out simultaneously with routing the associated road which will enable the construction and maintenance of the conveyor gallery.

The foundation works for the main conveyor supports were preceded by preparation of the design documentation, acquisition of the relevant approval, and selection of contractor companies for executing construction and erection works. The preparatory stage also included earthworks, grubbing, and arrangement of temporary roads.

The main conveyor construction is implemented by East Mining Company within the Free Port of Vladivostok mode applicable in Uglegorsk region. The preliminary investments in the project make a total of 7 bln. rubles. The construction is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2021.