Conveyors: 1288 Sme Mining Engineering Handbook

1288 SMe Mining engineering handbook
when uncrushable objects enter the crushing chamber. Foreign

objects, such as steel, can cause extensive damage to a cone
crusher and additional costs in lost production. Advancement
in hydraulic relief systems has greatly reduced downtime and
improved the life of these machines.
ConveyoRS
Mine conveyor systems have been utilized in underground
mass mining for many years. Conveyor systems are com-
monly found in underground continuous coal mining opera-
tions, which use longwall and room-and-pillar methods. More
recently, underground conveyor systems have been employed
in large-scale, long-life metalliferous mines. Conveyors are
more commonly used in operations where mine geometry and
production flow allow conveyor haulage to be more efficient
or cost-effective than other methods.
Inclined, troughed belt conveyors are more frequently
being selected from a range of alternatives, which include
shafts and trucks, for ore haulage in underground mass min-
ing projects. Belt conveyor haulage systems are being oper-
ated with lifts exceeding those normally associated with truck
haulage systems and approaching the limits of shaft haulage
systems (Spreadborough and Pratt 2008).
Continued development of conveyor technology has
resulted in increased confidence in and reliability of these
systems. Reliability of conveyor-based haulage systems as a
whole is impacted by the complexity of larger configurations
constructed of multiple units or lifts. Modern conveyor instal-
lations have proven high availabilities (>85% are achievable
in underground operations), which has added confidence to
their use in recent times.
Figure 12.8-16 shows a typical conveyor in an under-
ground metalliferous mine operation.
Safety Considerations
Courtesy of BHP Billiton Olympic Dam.
In the selection of conveying options for an underground oper-
figure 12.8-16 Typical conveyor in an underground metal-
ation, several risk areas must be addressed, including
liferous mine operation
• Belt fires managed by self-extinguishing belt covers and
auto detection and suppression systems;
• Belt failures addressed by belt-rip detection systems, • Reliability/availability;
monthly belt scans, and concrete bulkheads; • Operating life;
• Guarding requirements to prevent injury to personnel; • Size of product handled, spillage, and carry-back;
• Audible start-up alarms where personnel work near the • Dust and noise generation; and
belt; • Automatic, remote operations.
• Emergency stop provisions in areas where access by per-
The advantages of conveying material include high auto-
sonnel is required; and
mation, minimal operational labor requirements and lower
• Dust management.
operating costs, and high reliability/availability.
The disadvantages of conveying material include high
Selection Criteria
capital cost (therefore lower probability of duplication), a
The selection of haulage systems for underground mass min-
large footprint, and limited flexibility.
ing has historically focused on shaft haulage, trucks, and
Belt conveyors for underground service usually have a
belt conveyors. The application of these alternatives in the
more rugged design and operate at slower speeds than a com-
Australian mining industry is summarized in Figure 12.8-3.
parable overland conveyor. Hard-rock mine belt conveyors
Troughed belt conveyors are shown in this figure to be applied
normally require the ore to be crushed before it is conveyed
in the range up to 8 Mt/a production rate and 1,200-m lift.
or at least sized through a grizzly. Reasons for this include
Selection criteria for underground conveyor haulage include
increased belt life due to reduced impact from lumps and
• Inherent safety; elimination of tramp material, including rock bolts, rebar, drill
• Capacity (steady state and surge flow); steels, and scaling bars, which can seriously affect the integ-
• Simplicity in design and operation; rity of the belt system.
• Dimensions (length, height, and width); Belt conveyor systems are less flexible than truck haul-
• Maneuverability/adaptability to various layouts; age and require a high initial investment. This generally
• Cost (capital and operating); means that belt conveyors are the economical choice when the

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1288 SMe Mining engineering handbook

when uncrushable objects enter the crushing chamber. Foreign

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