Refuse disposal efficiency increase at open pit mining by using container technology

Abstract

The paper covers the questions of perfection of technologies for transportation of rock mass on quarries’ dumps. The completed analysis of existing ways of refuse disposal at open pit mining indicates the barest necessity of the development of a new resource- and environment-saving technology. The contradictions in the technologies of open pit miningaccumulated over the last decades are especially aggravated in the conditions of transition to a market economy and the imminent ecological crisis. Transportation of the rock mass in containers without construction of technological communications on quarries offered. The basic element of the container technology for rock mass transportation in the quarry is elevator in the form of a special mobile lifting machine. Container technology makes it possible to increase the characteristics of open pit miningoperations by save of energy resources and environment preserve at a qualitatively new level. Taking into account experience of its development in other industries allows decrease specific power consumption, improving environmental safety and productivity at open pit mining. Reducing the power consumption and the destructive effect of open pit mining on environment takes place due to using optimal mode of transportation at all stages of rock mass haulage, as well as due to the performance of transshipment operations with high productivity without additional excavation of the rock mass. Hereupon, the productivity of works at refuse disposal increases and external dump’s areas lower. A preliminary assessment of the economic indicators of container technology shows its economic advantages over the existing rock mass refuse disposal methods. The simple design characterizes the developed equipment, which makes it possible to manufacture it at a mining enterprise.