ABSTRACT
High angle conveyor (HAC®) systems in open pit mining offer many advantages over the traditional, truck only, haulage systems, including: (1) superior energy efficiency, (2) less dependency on petroleum products, (3) less sensitivity to inflation, (4) less labor, (5) less excavation for the amount of ore recovered, and (6) less ramp construction and maintenance costs. Previous studies had revealed the technical and economic feasibility of high angle conveyors. This paper presents the Sandwich Belt HAC® as the vital link to optimization of in-pit conveying systems. HAC development to date is discussed, beginning with studies in 1979, to the first large scale prototype in 1983, to the first commercial unit in 1984, into the latest commercial installations. Discussion continues with the HAC systems to suit the various open pit mining operations and the corresponding characteristics of the system components, particularly the high angle conveyor. The range of HAC systems from the low capacity (up to 1,814 t/h), low lift (10.7 to 36.6M), highly mobile to the moderate capacity (1,814 to 3,629 t/h), moderate lift (36.6 to 76.2M), intermittently mobile to the high capacity (greater than 3,629 t/h), high lift (greater than 76.2M), semi-mobile, are discussed along with some possible combinations of these.
