WHAT IS MATERIAL HANDLING IN HARD ROCK?
By: Evan Lucyk
Material handling is something that many people have heard, but not everyone knows the ins and outs of it. It’s basically a catch-all (and self-explanatory) phrase that encompasses the process for “handling” goods (materials) as they are manufactured, distributed, stored, used, and disposed of in an environmentally friendly and safe manner, all while keeping in mind the factors of profitability and efficiency in productivity. Sounds simple, right? Well, not exactly.
Material handling can pose some challenges for underground mining operations especially. While the ultimate aim of material handling systems is to transport the excavated ore from the cutting face to the surface in the most efficient way possible, it is expected that this is done while maintaining production rates and minimizing operating costs. This is no small feat. Proper material handling can not only improve efficiency and increase overall profit by cutting costs, but it is also the key component to ensuring that your products—and the people helping you ultimately get those products to your customers—are both kept safe and protected from harm.
Luckily, there is a vast array of equipment that can aid in the endeavor, making tasks like loading and unloading trucks, palletizing, and transporting goods from storage to shipping bays far easier, and that’s just to name a few.
One type of material handling equipment that we focus on at Bit Service is the underground conveyor. Thanks to their high energy efficiency and relatively simple and robust design, conveyors are an ideal asset for most any material haulage system.
Underground hard rock mining can vary from the needs of soft rock, coal and some industrial minerals due to many factors. Some of these factors include the depth of the mine, various excavation methods, and temperatures. At the heart of it though, the excavated ore needs to be brought to the surface, which requires a combination of haulers and conveyors (which we mentioned above) to make the journey.
The harsh conditions present in mines can wreak havoc on the sealing systems of the conveyor rollers, which demand a superior system. At Bit Service, we have been working with many clients on similar issues and have found the superior sealing systems and capabilities of the rollers from ULMA Conveyor Components to far exceed their requirements. When it comes to variables such as the abrasive nature and density of the material, to installed factors such as impact loading, uneven conditions, humidity levels and ambient temperature, we have not seen a condition that cannot be met by the extremely robust seal arrangement specific to ULMA rollers.
To learn even more about material handling in hard rock, including advice on safety measures you can take or be connected to other excellent resources that can help you up your material handling game, reach out to us today.