Selecting Cyclical-and-Continuous Process Flow Diagrams for Deep Open Pit Mines

Abstract

The application data on different process flow diagrams of the cyclical-and-continuous method using high-angle conveyors are presented. The influence of the conveyor angle and elevation height on performance of crushing-and-conveying systems is determined. The feasibility study of the cyclical-and-continuous method with mobile crushing-and-rehandling units and high-angle conveyors in the Kostomuksha open pit mine is carried out. The relative capital and operating costs are evaluated for different conveying angles in an open pit mine 100 and 600 m deep. Different schemes of cutting accumulation levels to replace the mobile crushing-and-rehandling units in open pit mines are compared, and the performance of the cyclical-and-continuous technology with high-angle conveying system in the Muruntau open pit mine, Navoi Mining and Metallurgical Plant, Uzbekistan is described.