Reducing the total cost of ownership of mining haul trucks

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The diesel consumption of haul trucks deployed on opencast mines was investigated as ameans of reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of mining haul trucks. Theconceptualisation of TCO and an introduction to the mining operation was presented as anintroduction to the field of research. Thereafter, a review of the available literature revealedthat linear programming, queueing theory and coast-down testing were applicable means ofinvestigation. The relevant engineering sciences were applied and correlated withexperimental and measured data from the Grootegeluk, Sishen and Thabazimbi minesoperated by Kumba Resources Ltd (formerly known as ISCOR Mining).A cost-driver model for diesel consumption was formulated by exploiting the expertjudgement of role players in the mining operation. A cost-driver model was developed forthe Sishen, Thabazimbi and Grootegeluk mines. The cost-driver models were then modelledas a linear programming problem and solved using the student version of LINDOOptimization Software. The results were discussed and a universal diesel cost driver modelwas formulated by consolidating the individual diesel cost driver models.The operational cycle of haul trucks was simulated in order to quantify equipment utilisationand reduce diesel consumption of the mining vehicles. The operational cycle of haul truckswas modelled utilising queueing theory. The simulation of the queue network wasimplemented in Matlab using the next event advance method and was called Q Sim. Q Sim - -was utilised to investigate optimal fleet size and the economies of scale of haul truckcapacity.The results of coast down tests were analysed in order to determine the effect of treatingmining roads, with a bitumen product, on rolling resistance coefficient.Finally, recommendations for further research are proposed. This includes further refinementof the diesel cost-driver model, expanding the scope of application of Q_Sim in the miningoperation and further investigation of dust reduction by bitumen products.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University