Improvement of the methods for determining ore losses when designing cement raw material deposit mining by surface miner combines

Abstract

Relevance. The need to optimize production of cement raw materials and reduce the cost of processing raw materials. A surface miner combine allow high selective mining of a deposit, which helps to reduce moisture content of cement raw materials and reduce energy costs in a cement plant. In open-cast mining of cement raw materials deposits with the use of the surface miner combines, the increase in economic efficiency of mining operations can be achieved by determining the rational values of ore losses and dilution. Aim. To determine rational level of cement raw material losses during field development by surface miners. Objects. Cement industry quarries excavated with of the surface miner combines. Methods. Technical and economic analysis of the cement plant Beočin (Serbia), summation and synthesis of materials, sources and data available in the public domain, as well as calculations to determine the amount of loss and dilution of mineral resources at ore–rock contact for mining conditions of the quarry for extracting cement raw materials. Results. The main problems that arise during mining quarries for extracting cement raw materials have been identified. It concerns the determination of the volume of losses and dilution of mineral resources at the ore–rock contact for mining conditions of the quarry for extraction of cement raw materials. The authors present and substantiate conclusions about further effective application of optimal mining technology, with the use of the surface miner combines, which allows reducing the cost of production of minerals and specific operating costs of transporting carbonate rocks compared to the traditional technology of mining works at 50–60%.