The first double-support mining hard rock TBM “Hongyuan” was successfully launched on 28 February 2022, marking that the auxiliary inclined shaft development project of Huiyuan Coal Mine in Linfen City, Shanxi Province officially started its rapid construction stage.

The total length of the project is approximately 5 kilometres, with -6° downhill excavation slope, and a minimum turning radius of 60 metres. In order to improve the safety and efficiency of equipment excavation, CREG has developed a 6.03 metre diameter double-support hard rock TBM “Hongyuan”, which is equipped with a number of innovative technologies, which can effectively deal with stage changing and excavation problems under adverse geological conditions of faults and fractures.