scholarly journals Regenerative Belt Conveyor versus Haul Truck-Based Transport: Polish Open-Pit Mines Facing Sustainable Development Challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 9215
Author(s):  
Witold Kawalec ◽  
Robert Król ◽  
Natalia Suchorab
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Gravitational Energy ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Belt Conveyor ◽  
Open Pit Mines ◽  
Impact Reduction

The mining industry is facing sustainable development challenges, among which the energy efficiency issues seem to be of major importance. As transport of the mined ore is considered as one of the most energy intensive operations, the improvement of its energy efficiency is a key indicator in terms of sustainable actions taken by mining companies. In open-pit mines, the material handling operations are mostly performed with trucks. Their electrified version—truck trolley systems—surpass diesel trucks’ efficiency while comparing the increased production capacity and the reduction of maintenance cost and fuel consumption. The paper analyzes the opportunities and benefits of the replacement of an ore transport system based on hauling trucks with a regenerative belt conveying in an open-pit mine. Presented case study has been analyzed from energy consumption and environmental impact reduction perspectives. Generally, conception of a regenerative conveyor is based on recuperation of energy or continuous braking needed while a conveyor is running downhill. Energy generated during the braking process (converted from the potential gravitational energy of the conveyed material) is fed back to the electrical grid. Then the regenerative conveyor can be considered as a machine that mines energy as an additional by-product of an exploited deposit. It was shown that difference in transportation cost between haul trucks and energy efficient regenerative conveyors is around 95%. The paper points the conditioning elements to allow the implementation of a regenerative belt conveyor system.

scholarly journals A GIS Software Module for Environmental Impact Assessment of the Open Pit Mining Projects for Small Mining Operators in Kazakhstan

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6971
Author(s):  
Mikhail Zarubin ◽  
Larissa Statsenko ◽  
Pavel Spiridonov ◽  
Venera Zarubina ◽  
Noune Melkoumian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Software Module ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Open Pit Mines ◽  
Gis Software

This research article presents a software module for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of open pit mines. The EIA software module has been developed based on the comprehensive examination of both country-specific (namely, Kazakhstan) and current international regulatory frameworks, legislation and EIA methodologies. EIA frameworks and methods have been critically evaluated, and mathematical models have been developed and implemented in the GIS software module ‘3D Quarry’. The proposed methodology and software module allows for optimised EIA calculations of open pit mines, aiming to minimise the negative impacts on the environment. The study presents an original methodology laid out as a basis for a software module for environmental impact assessment on atmosphere, water basins, soil and subsoil, tailored to the context of mining operations in Kazakhstan. The proposed software module offers an alternative to commercial off-the-shelf software packages currently used in the mining industry and is suitable for small mining operators in post-Soviet countries. It is anticipated that applications of the proposed software module will enable the transition to sustainable development in the Kazakh mining industry.

Modeling and analysis of a quality traceability framework for phosphate extraction process: evidence from Morocco

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hind Lafquih ◽  
Saad Lissane Elhaq ◽  
Issam Krimi ◽  
Mouna Berquedich
Keyword(s):  
Process Model ◽  
System Modeling ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Model Quality ◽  
Open Pit Mines ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Traceability System

PurposeAccording to United Nations reports, the worldwide population is expected to reach around 9.6 billion by 2050. This forecasting emphasizes the role of phosphate-based fertilizers for developing sustainable agriculture and ensures the demand all over the planet. From this perspective, phosphate companies are racing to improve their industrial performance and guarantee the quality, reliability and integrity of information efficiently. The purpose of this paper is to propose a traceability system framework that ensures product quality tracing and real-time operations monitoring for open-pit mines.Design/methodology/approachThe authors develop a hybrid approach that integrates Business Process Model and Notation techniques with System Modeling Language to formalize several use cases and scenarios to model quality traceability processes related to open-pit mines. This framework also embeds an optimization module based on mathematical modeling approaches to optimize stockpiles’ movement and respect the distinction between different qualities.FindingsThis paper explains a successful implementation of a quality traceability tool for an African mining company. The research team was able to understand and scale down the problem faced by the managers. Further, the study is focused on improving quality tracing over time and automatizing the current compliance processes related to the mine extraction activities. The proposed tool is proved highly effective in reducing the time of tracing quality claims by 46% compared with the manual procedure. Second, the implementation of this tool reduced fuel costs by 34% and CO2 emissions by 10%.Originality/valueThe originality of the contributions lies in four aspects: (1) adapting quality traceability concept for the mining industry; (2) assessing the current trends of traceability systems considering the mining industry context; (3) hybridizing business processes re-engineering, quality system and optimization modeling; and (4) using a real case study of a phosphate company to evaluate the framework.

scholarly journals Increasing the energy efficiency and environmental safety of the operation of smallvolume furnaces by adding a water-fuel mixture and organic components

2021 ◽  
Vol 295 ◽  
pp. 02002
Author(s):  
Liudmila Kulagina ◽  
Tamara Yenutina ◽  
Irina Kirillova
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Coal Dust ◽  
Fuel Mixture ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Hydrodynamic Cavitation ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Coal Waste ◽  
Open Pit Mines ◽  
Agricultural Industry ◽  
Urgent Task

Industrialisation is trending manufacturing revolution vector, an urgent task is to increase the energy efficiency and environmental safety of small-volume furnaces processes, which are widely applied in the agricultural industry, asphalt concrete plants, etc. In many countries, there are practically no working coal mines or open-pit mines left. However, in a number of regions, coal waste remained in the form of coal dust, ash or in the form of sludge. Utilization of coal dust by preparation of coal-water fuel (CWF) with subsequent combustion of the mixture is currently being applied as the most suitable method. The article discusses improvement of the technology for the preparation of coal-water fuel by applying the effects of hydrodynamic cavitation and adding waste from the livestock complex.

scholarly journals A Letter on Belt Conveyor System as a Mode of Transportation in Industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
Monideepa Pati ◽  
Ujjayan Majumdar
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Material Handling ◽  
Conveyor Belt ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Open Pit Mines ◽  
Conveyor System ◽  
Design Values ◽  
Conveyor Belts ◽  
Mode Of Transportation

In any power plant coal obtained from the open pit mines should be transported to the plant for the production of power. Many means of transportations are available like truck, railways pipelines, Conveyor belts etc. For Industrial purpose material handling equipment are designed in a way such that material handling is easy, fast, less maintenance cost for the equipment, efficient, safe etc. This paper discusses how conveyor belt is a better mode of transportation in power plants than any other modes available. Provided with brief Discussion various parts of the conveyor belt, and also about some types of conveyor belts used in Power plants. There are many types of conveyer belts present that can be used as per the need of different power plants. Also provided with a proper safety design values for the safe and efficient working of the belt.

scholarly journals Increasing energy efficiency of walker dragline

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Nikolay Maksimovich SUSLOV ◽  
◽  
Stanislav Alekseevich CHERNUKHIN ◽  
Dmitriy Nikolaevich SUSLOV ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Hydraulic Drive ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Walking Mechanism ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
The Cost

Relevance of the work. Reducing the cost of mining in the course of open pit mining has always been considered one of the important tasks in the mining industry; it allows to reduce the cost of the extracted ore. When developing quarries, the most costly work, in which there is no direct mining, is the overburden of waste rocks. The method of stripping operations is one of the most efficient and highly productive, which uses a non-transport technology with a walking dragline excavator. Moving such powerful machines is energy-intensive and affects the efficiency of the machine as a whole, therefore, the modernization of the walking mechanism will increase the energy efficiency of the excavator and ultimately reduce the cost of mining. The most common mechanism for moving such machines is a hydraulically driven three-bearing mechanism. This paper describes the proposed modernization of such a walking mechanism, which makes it possible to get rid of two main disadvantages, namely, the lack of energy recuperation of the lifted machine along the path and the dragging of the base edge against the ground, which creates additional resistance to movement. The installation of hydraulic accumulators in the hydraulic system of the drive of the movement of the machine will allow accumulating the energy of the machine raised above the ground when walking, and the introduction of an additional support shoe into the support base of the machine will get rid of dragging the base. In general, the presented modernization of the mechanism will reduce the energy consumption of moving a dragline excavator with a three-bearing walking mechanism with a hydraulic drive and, ultimately, reduce the cost of mining. Purpose of the work: to improve the efficiency of the dragline as a whole by increasing the energy efficiency of its movement. Objectives: consider design changes to reduce the energy cost of moving the dragline. Results. A variant of adding a support shoe into the walking mechanism is considered, which makes it possible to eliminate the friction of the base against the rock along the path by completely separating the base from the ground. Calculations of energy consumption of mechanisms for different types of draglines with the existing and proposed mechanism are carried out. Conclusions, application of results. The calculations given in this paper allow us to conclude about the effectiveness of the changes made to the design of the walking mechanism. The proposed mechanism allows you to significantly reduce the cost of moving and get rid of the disadvantages inherent in the existing mechanism.

scholarly journals Risk criteria classification and the evaluation of blasting operations in open pit mines by using the FDANP method

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-81
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kian ◽  
Seyed Hamid Hosseini ◽  
Mohammad Taji ◽  
Mehran Gholinejad
Keyword(s):  
Relative Weight ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Specialized Knowledge ◽  
Open Pit Mines ◽  
Risk Criteria ◽  
Blast Energy ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
High Criterion

Purpose. Mineral projects are heavily influenced by risk factors. By providing evidence-based information and analysis to make informed decisions about how to choose between options, a risk assessment can be made. Methods. In this study, the relationships of 46 criteria and 10 dimensions affecting the risk of blasting operations were investigated in order to determine the significance, effectiveness, relative weight of the criteria and dimensions as well as to prioritize the risk criteria of blasting operations. For this purpose, the combination of the FDEMATEL method and FANP method are used as FDANP. Findings. The most important criterion is the lack of specialized knowledge (C1). The damage to manpower criterion (C46) will receive the greatest impact from other criteria. The criterion for implementing the explosion plan, without respecting the design principles (C12) has most interactions with other criteria and the failure to determine the amount of production capacity (low or high) criterion (C45) has the least interactions with other criteria. According to the FDANP method, the number of explosions in one stage (C14) is the first criterion of the blasting operations risk. Originality. By controlling this criterion, the effects and destructive consequences of blasting operations can be prevented. Controlling this criterion reduces the risk of blasting operations and also reduces the damage by C46 criterion. From comparison, human resources dimension (D1) is the most effective and natural hazards dimension (D10) has the greatest interactions with other dimensions and is most affected among the other dimensions. The production and extraction consideration dimension (D9) has the least interaction with other dimensions and is less important. Practical implications. By reducing the destructive effects of blasting operations, two favorable results will be achieved: the reduction of damage caused by undesirable consequences and the assignment of a greater share of blast energy to the desired outcomes.

scholarly journals Optimization of truck allocation in open pit mines using differential evolution algorithm

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 338-350
Author(s):  
Willian B. De Melo
Keyword(s):  
Differential Evolution ◽  
Differential Evolution Algorithm ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mines ◽  
The Road ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Mutation Operators ◽  
Ore Grades ◽  
On The Road

The allocation of trucks in open pit mines is a field with great potential for optimizing resources and applying advanced computer modeling techniques, mainly because many companies still choose to use manual allocation, which is premised on the decisions made by the operator, being subject to common failures and not reaching the maximum potential that the equipment can provide. Therefore, this work focuses on optimizing the allocation of trucks in order to increase production, reducing queue time and keeping ore grades within proper limits. The proposed algorithm was based on the differential evolution technique, where two types of mutation operators were used: rand/1/bin and best/1/bin, thus verifying the most suitable to solve the problem. The trucks were allocated in the ore loading and unloading process, aiming to improve the production capacity in a virtual mine. The results brought a convergence to the maximum global production, in addition to which, the allocation of unnecessary transport equipment to the planned routes was avoided. The two mutation operators compared had certain advantages and disadvantages, each better adapting to certain types of situations. The proposed technique can still be extended to other areas, for example, in the transport of grain on the road network or in the implementation of an allocation in freight cars that transport grain.

scholarly journals Influence of dynamics of development of open mining on technological features of blasting breaking

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 01001
Author(s):  
Sergey Zharikov ◽  
Vyacheslav Kutuev
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Rock Mass ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Resource Saving ◽  
Open Pit Mines ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Technological Methods ◽  
Development Prospects

The paper desribes the results of the analysis of the drilling and blasting index at some large enterprises. The significant period of their work has been considered. The increase in the specific consumption of explosives by years has been shown and the reasons for this increase have been explained. The issue of the development prospects of the drilling and blasting complex in terms of reducing the cost of explosives, as well as some issues associated with the use of explosives, manufactured on site. It is suggested that in the near future the development of open mining will be associated with the acceleration of processes and a significant increase in their intensity, both in the development of new ones and in the refinement of existing large open-pit mines. In this regard, drilling and blasting operations are waiting for certain changes in both the mechanization of processes and the technological methods of production. An approach is proposed for improving energy efficiency and resource saving in the production of drilling and blasting operations, which consists in applying a horizontal cut along the bottom of the bench with blasting breaking of the rock mass. It has been previously shown that the use of this method of breaking can be quite effective in comparison with the traditional approach.

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