TY - THES

T1 - An investigation in the feasible application of High Angle Conveyors for In Pit Crushing and Conveying

AU - Niemandt, Willem

N1 - embargoed until null

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - High Angle Conveying (HAC) systems promise significant advantages over conventional conveying systems in open pit mining operations, including reduced operating costs, environmental advantages and prolonged service life. Regardless of these advantages, there are not many installations which utilize these systems in open pit mining operations. The general tendency in industry is to stick to what is known, which is truck and shovel operations and therefore In Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) and associated systems do not present its full potential. The lack of flexibility and resistance to change negatively affects IPCC and HAC operations. The objective of the project is to determine if HAC can successfully be applied in IPCC and the potential benefits for Sandvik, if HAC systems can suitably be applied in IPCC and the disadvantages thereof. Further it is aimed in assisting with selecting appropriate HAC system suitable for IPCC applications. In addition the benefits it holds for Sandvik to further develop strategies, to expand their product offering, to include these systems and finally the project should assist in understanding the operational cost of a particular HAC system in contrast to conventional conveying. This report is based on a comprehensive literature review, telephonic and email interviews with operators of HAC systems within South Africa to determine the operational cost of these systems. A case study was conducted where a cost trade-off between conventional conveying and HAC was done to determine the capital and operational cost expenditures. Published information relating to the topic was ample, but specific information relating to the application in IPCC was limited. Data on the relevance of HAC in IPCC application was of a high level nature and it was found that most of these systems had extensive patents protecting the intellectual property. Reliance on interviewing operators was significantly more difficult than expected as it seemed that the information acquired was proprietary to their business. Nevertheless published information was sufficient to achieve most of the projects objectives. The project objectives were partially achieved because there was insufficient data to perform any meaningful application study within the IPCC field. Different HAC Systems were however identified and their application was researched to determine if it could be applied in IPCC.

AB - High Angle Conveying (HAC) systems promise significant advantages over conventional conveying systems in open pit mining operations, including reduced operating costs, environmental advantages and prolonged service life. Regardless of these advantages, there are not many installations which utilize these systems in open pit mining operations. The general tendency in industry is to stick to what is known, which is truck and shovel operations and therefore In Pit Crushing and Conveying (IPCC) and associated systems do not present its full potential. The lack of flexibility and resistance to change negatively affects IPCC and HAC operations. The objective of the project is to determine if HAC can successfully be applied in IPCC and the potential benefits for Sandvik, if HAC systems can suitably be applied in IPCC and the disadvantages thereof. Further it is aimed in assisting with selecting appropriate HAC system suitable for IPCC applications. In addition the benefits it holds for Sandvik to further develop strategies, to expand their product offering, to include these systems and finally the project should assist in understanding the operational cost of a particular HAC system in contrast to conventional conveying. This report is based on a comprehensive literature review, telephonic and email interviews with operators of HAC systems within South Africa to determine the operational cost of these systems. A case study was conducted where a cost trade-off between conventional conveying and HAC was done to determine the capital and operational cost expenditures. Published information relating to the topic was ample, but specific information relating to the application in IPCC was limited. Data on the relevance of HAC in IPCC application was of a high level nature and it was found that most of these systems had extensive patents protecting the intellectual property. Reliance on interviewing operators was significantly more difficult than expected as it seemed that the information acquired was proprietary to their business. Nevertheless published information was sufficient to achieve most of the projects objectives. The project objectives were partially achieved because there was insufficient data to perform any meaningful application study within the IPCC field. Different HAC Systems were however identified and their application was researched to determine if it could be applied in IPCC.

M3 - Master's Thesis (University Course)

ER -