Caterpillar Performance Handbook, January 2017, SEBD0351-47

Production Overviews

Hydraulic Mining Shovels

PRODUCTION OVERVIEWS As with any other piece of material handling equip- ment, the productivity of a hydraulic mining shovel depends on various aspects. These influencing factors are either defined by pure machine specifications, such as bucket capacity, or by application conditions and operator skills, like bucket fill factor and cycle time. In addition, there are parameters, which fall neither under the hydrauilc mining shovel’s physical capabilities, nor can they be controlled by the shovel operator or the set- up of the loading area. The major factors in this category are truck exchange time and overall mine efficiency. The following tables indicate, for a typical hydraulic mining shovel/truck combination, the wide range of productivity figures in t/h (tons/h) under various condi- tions. The overall mine efficiency starts at 83%, which corresponds to 50 minutes per hour. This efficiency is generally achievable only during a short period of time, and could be the relevant factor for a short time pro- duction test. However, in the long-run, the overall mine efficiency tends to be in the 65% to 75% range. The grey highlighted area illustrates average productivity figures which can be expected under typical site conditions in well organized mines.

Furthermore, the size of the truck, and the required number of passes to load it, has an effect on hydraulic mining shovel productivity. The larger the truck, the higher the hydraulic mining shovel’s productivity will be, because unproductive truck exchange time will be reduced. The figures in the following tables given in t/h (tons/h) means the production per net loading hour and not per service meter units [SMU].

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