An approach for evaluation the safety and quality of transport at the open pit mines, based on the EDAS method

Abstract

Transport of ore and overburden at the open pit mines represents the most important and the most complex process in the open pit excavation technology. Transport organization significantly affects the capacity of machinery for excavation and disposal, excavation productivity, as well as the ore production costs. This paper describes an attempt to select the most suitable transport system at the open pit mines from the safety and quality point of view. For that purpose, the EDAS method was used. Four types of transport systems were considered - truck transport, railway transport, belt conveyor and hydrotransport. It was found that, from the above mentioned aspect, the truck transport generally has the most favorable characteristics.