Loading and transportation operations are the most critical and complex in mining processes, as they involve high investments and operating costs. If there is no harmonization between the size of the equipment and the size of the operation, these costs can get even worse. Therefore, the efficient sizing of equipment is essential to reduce costs, eliminate waste and achieve a more productive operation.

With this in mind, we have prepared exclusive content explaining the step-by-step process for efficiently sizing equipment. If you’re interested in finding out more, read on!

POINTS TO PAY ATTENTION TO BEFORE SIZING EQUIPMENT:

• The scale of production has a direct influence on the type of equipment selected;
• Loading and transportation fleets are dependent fleets, and the effectiveness and availability of each affects the requirements of the other;
• The swelling and fragmentation generated by blasting has an impact on the volume handled

SIZING THE EQUIPMENT.

1- Calculate the increase in volume (blistering) that the material will suffer after being dismantled:

2- Determine the capacity of the excavator bucket:

This requires following the production requirements and operating conditions:

2.1- Identify the Time of an excavator pass depending on how difficult the material is to excavate or load:

E: Easy-to-dig material;

M: More solid material;

M-H: More resistant material, with medium to difficult digging;

H: Resistant material.

The following table serves as a reference, with field data and probabilistic distribution.

2.2- Calculate the number of passes per hour:

2.3- Define the Production Factor:

The following reference values can be considered:

2.4 Identify the Swing Angle Factor:

2.5 Get the Number of passes per hour (real):

2.6 Identify the Bucket Fill Factor:

2.7 Estimate the bucket factor:

After determining the excavator bucket capacity it is necessary to define the type and number of trucks that correspond to this capacity:

3- Define the Truck cycle time:

The truck’s cycle time is the sum of the following times:

Empty travel time, Queuing time at loading, Maneuvering time at loading, Loading time, Loaded travel time, Queuing time at tipping, Maneuvering time at tipping, Tipping time.

4- Determine the excavator’s output in tons per cycle:

5- Calculate the truck’s capacity:

6- Estimate the truck’s loading time:

7- And finally, identify the number of trucks needed for the volume of material:

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