Studying the effect of overburden removal flow diagram parameters on open pit possible productive capacity when developing an inclined formation

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses the technical and technological potential of coal mining economic efficiency enhancement for deposits formed by a formation of inclined beds using a combination of transport and transportless technologies. The considered reserve consists in the possibility of reducing the volume of overburden relocated by draglines and increasing the volume of prepared reserves by optimizing the excavation flow diagram parameters. The research was carried out for the Chernogorsky bituminous coal deposit of the Minusinks coal basin. Research objective is to reveal the regularities between changes in the deposit’s productive capacity for coal and the volume of overburden relocated on the one hand, and the parameters of flow diagrams that enhance the economic efficiency of a coal mining enterprise using the combination of transport and transportless technologies on the other hand. Methods of research. Process flow diagrams were analyzed, and the parameters of the entry width, the height of the overburden shotpile mined by the dragline and the height of the dragline elevation over the roof of bed were varied. The methods of graphical analysis were used based on the proposition about the equality of the width of the mining, stripping and dump panels and the areas of the dump and stripping entry ways. A regression analysis of the data obtained was carried out. Results. The regularities between the changes in the deposit’s productive capacity for coal and the volume of overburden relocated on the one hand, and the parameters of flow diagrams on the other hand, have been revealed. The need to control the open-pit’s productive capacity has been justified. The possibilities have been considered for production cost cut by reducing the scope of excavation. Summary. Flow diagram parameters optimization based on the identified regularities makes it possible to control the open-pit’s productive capacity and the volume of overburden relocated over a broad area. The height of the overburden shotpile mined by the dragline at Velikan 1 and Gigant 1 coal beds has the largest impact.