Reducing the total cost of ownership of mining haul trucks

Date
2004-12
Authors
Riley, Lennard Barry
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The diesel consumption of haul trucks deployed on opencast mines was investigated as a means of reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of mining haul trucks. The conceptualisation of TCO and an introduction to the mining operation was presented as an introduction to the field of research. Thereafter, a review of the available literature revealed that linear programming, queueing theory and coast-down testing were applicable means of investigation. The relevant engineering sciences were applied and correlated with experimental and measured data from the Grootegeluk, Sishen and Thabazimbi mines operated by Kumba Resources Ltd (formerly known as ISCOR Mining). A cost-driver model for diesel consumption was formulated by exploiting the expert judgement of role players in the mining operation. A cost-driver model was developed for the Sishen, Thabazimbi and Grootegeluk mines. The cost-driver models were then modelled as a linear programming problem and solved using the student version of LINDO Optimization Software. The results were discussed and a universal diesel cost driver model was formulated by consolidating the individual diesel cost driver models. The operational cycle of haul trucks was simulated in order to quantify equipment utilisation and reduce diesel consumption of the mining vehicles. The operational cycle of haul trucks was modelled utilising queueing theory. The simulation of the queue network was implemented 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 truck capacity. The results of coast down tests were analysed in order to determine the effect of treating mining roads, with a bitumen product, on rolling resistance coefficient. Finally, recommendations for further research are proposed. This includes further refinement of the diesel cost-driver model, expanding the scope of application of Q_Sim in the mining operation and further investigation of dust reduction by bitumen products.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ondersoek is ingestel na die dieselverbruik van myntrokke sodoende die Totale Koste van Eienaarskap (TKE) van myntrokke te verminder. Die konsep rondom TKE is bespreek en 'n inleiding tot die mynybedryf is aangebied sodoende die verskeie aspekte in verb and te bring. 'n Literatuur studie het gevolg, wat aangetoon het dat lineere programmeering, toustaan-en loswieltoetse toepaslike navorsingsmetodes is om die nodige resultate te verkry. Daarna is hierdie ingenieurswetenskappe toegepas en 'n vergelyking is tussen die eksperimentele en gemete data van die Grootegeluk, Sishen en Thabazimbi myne getref. 'n Diesel koste-drywer model is opgestel met die insette van kundige rolspelers in die mynbou bedryf. Dit het gelei tot Koste-drywer modelle vir die Sishen, Thabazimbi en Grootegeluk myne. Die modelle is met lineere programmeering as probleemstelling daargestel en is deur middel van die studente weergawe van die LINDO optimaliseringssagteware opgelos. Die resultate was toe bespreek en daarvolgens is 'n universele diesel koste-drywer model opgestel deur die reeds-geskepte modelle te konsolideer. Die operasionele siklus van myntrokke was gesimuleer sodoende die benutting van toerusting te kwantifiseer en die dieselverbruik van myntrokke te verminder. Hierdie operasionele siklus was gemodelleer deur middel van die toustaan-teorie. Die simulasie van 'n toustaannetwerk was in Matlab gevoer deur Q_Sim te gebruik. Hierdie metode was gebruik om die optimale vloot grootte en die invloed van myntrokkapasiteit te ondersoek. Die ontleding van die loswieltoetse was gedoen om die invloed van In bitumen prod uk op rolweerstand te bepaal. Ten slotte is aanbevelings vir toekomstige navorsing bespreek. Dit behels die verder aansuiwerings van die diesel koste-drywer model, die uitbreiding van aanwending van die Q_Sim in die mynbou en 'n verdere ondersoek om stofvoorkoming in die mynbou te bewerkstellig deur die gebruikmaking van bitumen produkte.
Description
Thesis (MScIngwet)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
Keywords
Trucks -- Fuel consumption, Strip mining -- Costs, Theses -- Mechanical engineering, Dissertations -- Mechanical engineering
Citation