Estimation of Purchase and Replacement Costs of Conveyor Belts and their Splices in an Underground Mine Based on their Durability

Abstract

A cost model for the purchase and replacement of conveyor belts using the average durability of belts and splices of various types (including adhesive and vulcanized splices) was developed for a hypothetical underground mine which uses continuous belt transport. Variant cost models of belt maintenance were developed for the given belt purchase prices and costs of splicing belt segments in the loop. The investigations focused on how the total costs of belting are influenced by various factors, including: belt prices, splicing costs, durability of belts and their joints, type of splicing, time and costs of planned and emergency belt replacements. The analyzes were performed without taking into account random differences in durability, and therefore the confidence interval for total costs for the given confidence level was not presented. The calculations were based on data obtained from users. They were not preceded by any statistical analyzes of actual operating times for either belts or splices. The results are therefore of qualitative rather than quantitative nature. Nevertheless, they should accurately reflect the level of costs and the impact of the analyzed factors on its changes.