Surface mining and underground mining are two methods commonly used to obtain slate. As far as this project is concerned, both are employed. The mining process is simple, mainly by use of mechanical and electrical means as well as manual cutting and separating. The electricity required for such process is supplied from hydropower facilities, which is completely clean. In contrast, small-sized black tiles and ceramic tiles used for the same purpose have to be fired in kilns at high temperature, which consume a huge quantity of coal, wood or other combustible materials. The energy consumed in production of slate tiles is only one fiftieth of that for black tiles, and one sixtieth of ceramic tiles. In addition, thanks to the employment of both mechanical and electrical means as well as manual cutting, carbon emission is nearly zero throughout the production, which is in no way possible for production of black tiles or ceramic tiles. So, the widespread use of slate products can effectively reduce energy consumption and carbon emission.
By now, the required basic facilities have been erected up in a plant, which is located in Wongshang Village, Geza Township, Shangri-La County. Specifically, three adits at 4m×4m length and width, 610m depth have been completed in the mining site in Wengshang Village, by which, the strike of small-sized slate veins that can be used for interior decoration have been proved and the works to be done in the next stage fixed.
A 5m×4m×1120m adit has been dug; roads, water and power supply facilities as well as ground leveling have been completed in Langdu Plant, Shangri-La. Other works already completed in the plant include: factory buildings (a semi-mechanized steel structure) with 1800 m2 in area, a new exploded stones repository, a dormitory and installation of some mechanical and production equipment. 4 production lines have been successfully commissioned and come on stream. The products out of these lines are highly commended by their users.
The annual production is currently around 200,000m2. The domestic experts and companies with considerable successful experience in slate mining are our main source of technical supports. We have China's most advanced technologies; our products is fully compliant with international standard. Now, we are inviting new investors for the extension of the mine to increase the annual production of slate products up to 5,000,000m2.