King Abdulaziz University

Faculty of Engineering
Mining Engineering Department

Mine 330
Ore Transportation
and Handling
Fall 2024
Course Description

Classification of materials handling system, overview of

equipment used in surface and underground mines, Earth
moving fundamentals, Loading and haulage equipment in
mining systems, Conveyors for bulk material handling in
mines, Rail haulage, Mine hoist systems.
SOs of Mine 330

• Student Outcome (1) An ability to identify, formulate,

and solve complex engineering problems by applying
principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

• Student Outcome (2) An ability to apply engineering

design to produce solutions that meet specified needs
with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare,
as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and
economic factors
 Textbooks & Supplemental Materials

1. Ray S., 2008. Introduction to Materials Handling. New Age International (P)
Ltd., New Delhi.

2. Peurifoy, R.L., Schexnayder, C.J., 2002. Construction Planning, Equipment,

and Methods. 6th Edition, Mc Graw Hill, New York.

3. Kennedy P. A., 1990. Surface Mining. 2nd Edition, Colorado: Society of Mining,
Metallurgy and Exploration Inc. (SMME).
 Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated with the

following assessment tools:

• Quizzes 15-20 %
• Assignments 20- 25 %
• Midterm Exam 15- 20%
• Final Exam 40 %
 Lecture 1:

Overview of material
handling in mining system
 Overview of materials handling in mining systems

• 1.1 Purpose of the course

• 1.2 Methods of materials handling
• 1.3 Factors affecting the selection of materials
handling systems
• 1.4 Loading and haulage equipment in surface mines
• 1.5 Loading and haulage equipment in underground
mines
 Purpose of the course
There are several ways of handling materials through a wide
variety of equipment such as conveyors, elevators, hoist, etc. to
select from in transporting materials.

The choice of materials handling system depends on the

material to be transported.
Example:
Oil and gas  Pipelines
Broken ore  Trucks and conveyors

Other consideration:
Size and weight of materials to be handled as well as the
distance of transport and production rate.
 Methods of materials handling
Materials handling systems can be classified as:

Batch systems  LHD and bucket load in shovels

Transport the materials in “batches”
Continuous systems  Belt conveyor.
Carry the material continuously with time
Handling systems in mines (broken ore and waste material) can be
categorized in four main categories:

1. Carriers
2. Pushers
3. Guiders
4. Hydraulic transport
Carriers
Carrier equipment hauls or moves the material while carrying it.

Trucks LHD

Shovels Belt Conveyors

Pushers
Pusher equipment transport or moves the material through a pushing
action

Scraper Dozer

Screw Conveyors Chain Conveyors

Guiders
Ore and waste passes (raises) derived vertically or inclined used to transport
ore and waste long distances downward from a dumping facility to a
collecting point.
Hydraulic Transport
Mainly for solid-water mixture such as mine backfill. Gravity can be utilized where
favorable gradient exist. Pumps are used if solid concentration is high or the transporting
distance is too large.

Methods for paste fill distribution to underground stopes

(Belem & Benzaazoua, 2004)
Factors affecting the selection of a material handling
system
• Material properties (density, size, moisture content,
hardness and chemical activity).
Example:
- Quartz should not be conveyed by moving parts like
screw conveyors since it is very hard.
- Chemically active material may need special
equipment made from non-corrosive materials.
• Haulage distance
• Haulage layout (uphill, downhill, straight lines,
curves, etc.)
• Volume to be handled or production rate.
• Capital investment available.
• Compatibility with the mining system.
 Loading and haulage equipment in surface mines
- Rail Haulage - Trucks
- Belt Conveyors - Scrapers
- Wheel loaders - Dozers
Trucks
 Trucks

• In mid 1930’s, Off-highway trucks where introduced to the

mining industry with a capacity of 15 ton.

• By mid 1950’s, 25 – 30 ton capacity trucks were commonly

used and 60 ton trucks were also available.

• Since the 1960’s, bigger and more efficient trucks became

available with over 400 ton capacity trucks are available now.
 Trucks
Mine off-highway trucks are classified by their
capacity and features like:

• Capacity in tons (payload)

• Method of dumping
• Class of material hauled (earth, rock, coal, etc.)
• Size and type of engine
 Conventional rear dump truck
• Powered by diesel engine.
• Electric or mechanical wheel
drive.
• Capacity up to 400 ton for
electric wheel drive.
• Capacity up to 360 ton for
mechanical wheel drive.
Rail Haulage
 Rail Haulage
• Mainly used prior to WORLD WAR II.
• Now it is mostly used in underground gold mines.
• Gentle grades are preferred (0.5% - 1%)
• Can be employed for a maximum of 3% uphill hauls or 4%
downhill hauls.

Rail haulage system is feasible when it meets the following

conditions:

• Haul distance is over 3 or 4 miles

• Relatively flat ground.
• Sufficient ore reserve and market in place.
Belt Conveyors
 Belt Conveyors
• Became very popular due to its high efficiency
and transporting large quantities over long
distances.
• The general applications of belt conveyors in
surface mining are:
– In-pit conveyors
– Overland conveyors
– In-plant conveyors
– Reclamation conveyors
In-pit conveyors
Overland conveyors
In-plant conveyors
Reclamation-landfill- conveyors systems
Dozers
 Dozers
• They are self-propelled with a front mount
blade (dozer).
• They are of two basic types
Scrapers
 Scrapers

• Scrapers are used to excavate and haul a wide

range of materials such as soil, clay, sand,

gravel, well broken rock, etc.

• Powered by diesel engine

Wheel loaders