AU2015286228B2

AU2015286228B2 - Open pit mining

Info

Publication number: AU2015286228B2
Application number: AU2015286228A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brian Macdonald
Original assignee: Emergent Mining Tech Pty Ltd
Current assignee: EMERGENT MINING TECHNOLOGIES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-10
Filing date: 2015-07-10
Publication date: 2019-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-10
Also published as: AP2017009750A0; WO2016004480A1; AU2015286228A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an open pit mining system. The system includes a material removing and transporting machine configured to remove overburden from an open pit of a mine, and remove valuable material from the open pit. The machine includes a suspended carrier for carrying the overburden and valuable material across the pit. Advantageously, the machine removes not only the overburden, but also mined valuable material. All such materials would otherwise be conventionally removed by trucks, operating in the pit and transporting the materials up ramps and out of the open pit. Accordingly, the use of trucks for transporting valuable material both along and up out of the pit is at least to some extent reduced thereby resulting in improved efficiency and safety.

Description

OPEN PIT MINING

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention generally relates to open pit mining, with particular although not exclusive application to mining of precious minerals and of base metals.

BACKGROUND [0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Open pit mining is a common method for extracting precious minerals and base metals such as gold, copper, lead, zinc, tin and platinum group metals etc.

[0004] A precious mineral or base metal mine typically includes an open pit excavation where both waste material (ie non ore bearing rocks - sometimes also termed overburden) and ore material are recovered and removed. Excavation equipment is located in the pit to extract overburden waste concealing a precious mineral or base metal. The overburden waste and ore materials are separately loaded onto mine pit trucks for transportation along specially constructed haulage ramps and out of the pit.

[0005] In practice, the haulage ramps are long and winding, and often involve an arduous and slow journey for the loaded trucks to exit the pit. Such haulage ramps are normally required to be of sufficient width to enable adjacent trucks to pass safely with an appropriate factor of safety when in use, and as a result they are normally of a large overall width, particularly given the typical size of the large off highway mining trucks that are used. Given that these ramps are required to be developed from the surface area adjacent the top of the open pit to provide access to the base (ie floor) of the open pit, a substantial additional volume of waste material is required to be mined from the open pit simply to accommodate the ramps. If such ramps were not required, or indeed if such ramps need only be developed of such width as to provide access to the floor of the open pit for light vehicles or services/maintenance trucks (say for example if there was no truck haulage of waste or ore from the open pit), then a substantial reduction in

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[0006] Further, the truck transportation of material out of the pit, and the concurrent operation of trucks and excavation equipment within the pit area, can be hazardous, and also results in environmental dust and noise emissions.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide improved mining techniques to improve efficiency, lower the energy consumption in the mining process, reduce mining costs, improve the mining environment by reducing noise and dust emissions, or provide for a safer mine site.

[0008] In recent times, the sales price received for the sale of precious minerals and of base metals has reduced. In recent times, the costs of operating such businesses have also increased. The financial burden placed on mine operators and investors has resulted in the closure of existing mines and a deferment on the creation of new mines.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide improved mining techniques to sustain mining profitability in view of falling mineral prices and rising costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [00010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an open pit mining method using a material removing and transporting machine, the method including the step of the machine:

removing overburden (e.g. waste) from an open pit of a mine; and removing valuable material (e.g. ore) from the open pit;

wherein the machine includes a suspended carrier for carrying the overburden and valuable material across the pit, the suspended carrier configured to move in three dimensions within the pit.

[00011] Advantageously, the removing machine removes not only the overburden, but also mined ore/valuable material. All such materials would otherwise be conventionally removed by trucks operating in the pit and transporting the materials up the ramp/s and out of the open pit. Accordingly, the use of trucks for transporting valuable material both along and up out of the pit/s is at least to some extent reduced,

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[00012] Preferably, the carrier is line suspended. The suspended carrier may be supported by a carrier frame which may be connected to winching devices by lines (e.g. wire ropes or cables). The step of carrying may involve winching the carrier frame and carrier in and out of the pit. The carrier frame and carrier may be winched to alter altitude and degree of turn or orientation within the pit.

[00013] The method may involve dumping the overburden and valuable material from the carrier. The step of dumping may involve tipping the carrier to discharge the material, or may involve the carrier opening up to discharge the material.

[00014] The method may involve loading the carrier with the overburden and valuable material. The step of loading may involve dropping a carrier frame adjacent a carrier bin so that the loading of the carrier can thereby be facilitated without interference.

[00015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an open pit mining system, the system including a material removing and transporting machine configured to:

remove overburden (e.g. waste material) from an open pit of a mine; and remove valuable material (e.g. ore) from the open pit;

[00016] The machine may further include one or more lines (e.g. wires or ropes) which suspend the carrier. The machine may include one or more winches for winching respective lines. The machine may include one or more towers for supporting respective winches.

[00017] The machine may include a dumping mechanism for dumping material from the carrier. The dumping mechanism may include a line (e.g. rope or cable) passing over a pulley for pulling to tip the carrier.

[00018] The carrier may be able to turn or rotate to facilitate loading and unloading in a desired configuration. The carrier may include a bin with a pivoting gate. The carrier

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[00019] The mining system may include an excavation machine (e.g. an excavator or front end loader/shovel) in the pit for excavating waste/overburden and the ore/valuable material. The excavation machine may further load the waste/overburden and the ore/valuable material into the carrier (ie the material removing device). The mining system may further include a drill for drilling holes to facilitate blasting and rock breakage in the pit.

[00020] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a machine for removing and transporting material from an open pit mine, the machine including:

a suspended carrier for carrying the material across the pit, wherein the suspended carrier is configured to move in three dimensions within the pit.

[00021] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00022] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[00023] Figure 1 is a schematic plan diagram showing an open pit mining system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00024] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective diagram showing the carrier and carrier frame of the system of Figure 1;

[00025] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective diagram showing the carrier and the carrier frame of the system of Figure 1, with the carrier frame being laid over to one side to permit loading of the material into carrier over its side rail;

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for the aerial transport of waste and ore from an open pit 300 as shown in Figure 1. The system 300 includes a suspension material removing machine 302, which is a primary lifting tool, configured to remove waste/overburden material from an open pit 306 of the mine and deposit it in an overburden stockpile or discharge location 308 near to the top of the mine. The machine 302 also removes ore/valuable material typically from the bottom (or the floor) of the open pit 306 and deposits the ore in an ore stockpile or discharge location 310 near to the top of the mine. Haulage vehicles in the form of either off highway dump trucks or higher speed highway trucks can then readily haul either the overburden/waste 308 or the valuable ore 310 away.

[00029] Advantageously, the removing machine 302 removes not only the overburden/waste, but also mined ore/valuable material which would otherwise be conventionally removed from the open pit 306 by off highway dump trucks that would be required to haul the material up the in-pit haul road/ramp and out of the open pit. Accordingly, the use of mine pit trucks for transporting the overburden/waste and the ore/valuable material both along and up out of the pit is avoided thereby resulting in improved efficiency and safety.

[00030] Turning briefly to Figure 2, the material moving machine 302 includes a suspended carrier 312 for carrying the overburden/waste and ore from the open pit. A quartet of wires or ropes 314 suspend the carrier 312. As best seen in Figure 1, the moving machine 302 also includes a quartet of winches 316 for independently winching respective wires or ropes 314. A quartet of towers 318 are provided for supporting respective winches 316 in an elevated position so that the wires or ropes 314 remain

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PCT/AU2015/050388 Received 5/06/2016 clear of the edge of the pit 306. In use, the winches 316 can take in or let out line to turn and control the altitude of the carrier 312 as desired.

[00031] Returning to Figure 2, the material moving machine 302 includes a dumping mechanism 320 for dumping the overburden and base metal material from the carrier 312. The dumping mechanism 320 includes a winched rope or cable 400 passing over a pulley 402 and for pulling to tip the carrier 302. The carrier 302 includes a storage bin 404 with a pivoting end gate 406. In use, the rope or cable 400 is pulled which tips the carrier 302 so that the gate 406 pivots open to enable dumping of the material.

[00032] The carrier 302 includes a H-fame 408 from which the wires or ropes 314 extend. The bin 404 is suspended from the H-frame 408 with a quartet of hanging wires or chains or ropes 410. As seen in Figure 3, during loading, the H-frame 408 is dropped to one side of the bin 404 so that the hanging wires or chains or ropes 410 slacken, thereby permitting an excavator or face shovel or front end loader (or another type of loading device) in the pit 306 to load the overburden/waste or ore over the side of the bin 404.

[00033] Turning to Figure 7, the winches 316 can be controlled to turn the bin 404 to a desired orientation relative to the open pit to facilitate loading and unloading. Once filled, the winches 316 lift the carrier 302 to the edge of the pit 306 for dumping to form stockpiles 308,310 as shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[00034] The mining system 300 includes an excavator or face shovel or front end loader (e.g. a material loading device) in the pit 306 for excavating blasted overburden/waste and the ore/valuable material. The excavator further loads the overburden and the valuable material into the material removing device 302. The mining system 300 also includes a drill in the pit 306 for drilling holes to facilitate blasting in the pit 306.

[00035] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00036] The preferred embodiment included a storage bin 404 with a pivoting end gate 406. In an alternative embodiment, the gate 406 may be removed so that the bin 404 has an open end. The chains or ropes 410 could be of lesser length at the open

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PCT/AU2015/050388 Received 5/06/2016 end of the bin 404 so that the bin 404 can be transported with the open end facing upward, thereby impeding spillage of material during transportation. The material can be dumped through the open end of the bin 404 as previously described, without the possibility of a gate 406 becoming blocked.

[00037] The foregoing embodiment included high speed haulage vehicles near the top of the mine to haul dumped material. In an alternative embodiment, a stationary conveyor system including belt conveyors and/or chutes may instead transport the material at the top of the pit. Transfer gates and chutes may be incorporated for transporting ore and overburden to separate destinations. The transported bin 404 can dump the material into another elevated container at the top of the mine. In turn, the material can be dumped from the elevated container and onto the conveyor system below.

[00038] The preferred embodiment was described in relation to a single storage bin 404. In an alternative embodiment, two or more interchangeable storage bins 404 may be utilized whereby only one bin 404 is attached to the H-frame 408 at any one time, whereas the other bins are concurrently being loaded or unloaded. The use of multiple bins results in maximizing efficiency whereby the wait time for a single bin 404 is reduced.

[00039] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00040] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An open pit mining method using a material removing and transporting machine, the method including the step of the machine:

removing overburden from an open pit of a mine; and removing valuable material from the open pit;

wherein the machine includes a suspended carrier for carrying the overburden and valuable material across the pit, the suspended carrier configured to move in three dimensions within the pit.
2. An open pit mining method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier is line suspended.
3. An open pit mining method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suspended carrier is supported by a carrier frame which is connected to winching devices by lines.
4. An open pit mining method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of carrying involves winching the carrier frame and carrier in and out of the pit.
5. An open pit mining method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the carrier frame and carrier can be winched to alter altitude and degree of turn or orientation of the carrier within the pit.
6. An open pit mining method as claimed in claim 1, further involving dumping the overburden and valuable material from the carrier.
7. An open pit mining method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of dumping involves tipping the carrier to discharge the material, or involves the carrier opening up to discharge the carried material or overburden.
8. An open pit mining method as claimed in claim 1, further involving separately loading the carrier with the overburden and valuable material.

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9. An open pit mining method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step of loading involves dropping a carrier frame adjacent a carrier bin so that the loading of the carrier bin can thereby be facilitated without interference.
10. An open pit mining system, the system including a material removing and transporting machine configured to:

remove overburden (e.g. waste material) from an open pit of a mine; and remove valuable material (e.g. ore) from the open pit;

wherein the machine includes a suspended carrier for carrying the overburden and valuable material across the pit, the suspended carrier configured to move in three dimensions within the pit.
11. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the machine further includes one or more lines which suspend the carrier.
12. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the machine includes one or more winches for winching respective lines.
13. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the machine includes one or more towers for supporting respective winches.
14. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the machine further includes a dumping mechanism for dumping material from the carrier.
15. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the dumping mechanism includes a line passing over a pulley for pulling to tip the carrier.
16. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the carrier is able to turn or rotate to facilitate loading and unloading in a desired configuration.
17. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the carrier includes a bin with a pivoting gate or an open side through which the overburden and valuable material can be dumped.

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18. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the carrier includes one or more interchangeable containers.
19. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 10, further including an excavation machine in the pit for excavating the overburden and valuable material.
20. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the excavation machine further loads the overburden and the valuable material into the carrier.
21. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 10, further including a drill for drilling holes to facilitate blasting and rock breakage in the pit.
22. An open pit mining system as claimed in claim 10, further including a haulage vehicle or a stationary conveyor system for transporting removed overburden and valuable material at the top of the pit.