ABSTRACT
Over the years off-highway trucks have established themselves as the primary means by which both ore and waste are moved in large open pit mines. Because haulage costs can be as much as 50 percent of the total operating costs at a given mine, it is imperative that a thorough understanding of haulage in general, but particularly truck haulage, be achieved. This chapter will focus on some selected aspects of trucks needed by mining engineers in estimating truck requirements, production capacities and costs. In particular, the following topics will be discussed in some detail. a. Sizing the container. b. Powering the container c. Propelling the container: Principles of mechanical and electric drive systems. d. Estimation of cycle times e. Calculation of production rates. There are many other factors which enter into the selection of a haulage system. Unfortu-
nately they cannot be covered here. Although somewhat dated, the reader is encouraged to read the excellent series of articles on the subject written by Burton (1975a, 1975b, 1975c, 1975d, 1976).
