Mobile technology for coal recovery and land restoration in accordance with circular economy approach

This article presents a mobile technology designed for the reclamation of land degraded by mining activities through the advanced processing of coal tailings. The system enables the efficient recovery of remaining coal while minimizing environmental impact. The mobile processing plant eliminates the need for permanent installations and can be relocated as needed. The process begins with the extraction of deposited material from sedimentation tanks, settling ponds, or mine water reservoirs. Depending on site conditions, this is done using suction dredgers for waterlogged areas or excavator-loaders for dry sites. The extracted material is then mixed with water and transported via pipeline to the processing plant. Inside the plant, the material undergoes preliminary separation, removing large particles (>100 mm) and organic debris. It is then homogenized in agitation tanks and processed in hydrocyclones, where the combustible fraction is separated from the mineral fraction. The recovered coal, with a calorific value of 16-24 MJ/kg, can be further enriched for use in combined heat and power plants. The mineral fraction can be repurposed for construction or land reclamation, making this technology a sustainable solution aligned with circular economy principles. Laboratory and industrial-scale tests confirm its effectiveness in waste reduction and energy recovery.