JOURNAL PAPER

Optimization of the loading and hauling fleet at Mamatwan open pit mine

S.V. Mkhatshwa

School of Mining Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand

SYNOPSIS

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors which affect the performance of the loading and hauling fleet and also find possible solutions to eliminate these factors, so that the daily tonnages required could be produced .This is due to the high demand of manganese required by clients.
The investigation strongly focuses on the performances of the three 777D Caterpillar trucks and the R984 C Liebherr Litronic Hydraulic Excavator.
In the content of the study, these machines are used to remove and move the low grade manganese (also known as the top cut overburden) in order to expose the high grade manganese from north pit to dump 4.
The objectives of the project were to determine the actual performance of the loading and hauling fleet per shift, compare the actual and the theoretical performance and identify areas that need to be improved.
To achieve the goals set for the project, a number of activities were carried out.
➤ Perform a time study to compare the performance of the loading and hauling fleet with the manufacturer specifications
➤ Match the equipments analysis for Loading and hauling
➤ Road conditions analysis
➤ Rolling resistance and Road Gradients analysis
➤ Operating cost analysis.

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References

VAN ANTWERPEN, O. Mamatwan Mine Works Programme. Required as per Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002. 2004.         [ Links ]

BEZUDEINHOUT, P. Personal communication. December 2007.         [ Links ]

CATERPILLAR INC. Caterpillar Performance Handbook, Peoria, lllinois,2001, pp. 22-25.         [ Links ]

LONG, G. Road and Property Maintenance,The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineer,Inc ,New York (1968), Section 10.4, 1968. pp. 678-681.         [ Links ]

THOMPSON, R.J. and VISSER, A.T. Mine haul road maintenance management system, The Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 103, no. 5, 2003. pp. 304.         [ Links ]

TAYLOR, P.F. and HURRY, P.A. Design. construction and maintenance of haul roads. The planning and operation of open-pit and strip mines. Deetlefs, J.P. (ed.), Johannesburg, SAIMM, 1986. pp. 139-149.         [ Links ]

GALINA, R. Minn 3001, Queuing theory-lecture. Minn 3001, Mine Transportation Class Notes, 2007. pp. 6-15.         [ Links ]

GALINA, R. Minn 4009, Shovel Loading Capability Utilization, Surface Mining, Class Notes, 2008. pp. 1-5.         [ Links ]

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B.Sc. Eng. (Mining Engineering)