New standards in underground loading and transport technology: Electrically powered mining trucks in interaction with electrically powered LHD loaders

Abstract

For the first time, a manufacturer has developed electrically powered LHD loaders and mining trucks (dump trucks) up to 50 tonnes payload for the non-firedamp-endangered mining field. These developments were based on the requirements signalled by numerous mines around the world. In comparison with diesel-powered vehicles, electrically powered mining trucks can be used at significantly higher speeds, especially in the ramps during loaded uphill travel. This can be clearly seen in the extraction costs. With electric operation, significant cost savings can be made in ventilation, and the working conditions for the machine operators can be significantly improved. There has never been an interaction between LHD loaders and mining trucks with machines of this size, both electrically powered, up to the present time. In many mines around the world, this technique will be instrumental in future in supporting the steps necessary for economic recovery at greater depths. © 2014 Ernst & Sohn Verlag für Architektur und technische Wissenschaften GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin.