Abstract: In order to tackle the problem arising from the low automation level of the system for handling the coal coming from outside sources,the said coal handling system is re-designed following a study of the structural design of the coal handling system in current use at the plant.Field application of the system indicates that the fault rate of the system is reduced by 67 percentage points,the time required for start/stop of the system is shortened by 32 percentage points,and the power consumption for start/stop of the system is cut down by 68%.Furthermore,in the instance when the system is in normal operation,the manpower required at each work post is decreased by 73 percentage points,making it possible for the coal handling system to go into unmanned operation for further reduction of labor intensity and increase of operating efficiency.