Substantiating Systems of Open-Pit Mining Equipment in the Context of Specific Cost

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to substantiate optimum mechanization systems of extraction and transportation equipment in terms of unit costs while open-pit mining of nonmetallic deposits. Statistical and analytical methods were applied to obtain the results; they were used to analyse the systems of open-pit extraction and transportation equipment. A technique to determine specific power intensity of operations by the equipment systems in the course of production processes and their processing into the end product has been represented. Possibility to use specific power intensity of operations while planning and developing the open-pit mining method has been proved in terms of assessment of extraction–loading–transportation equipment operating in nonmetallic open pits. The obtained results follow through with the conclusions concerning the use of wheel loaders in the context of mining enterprises. The proposed universal criteria for evaluation can be used as the index of energy consumption of open-pit extraction and transportation systems in the context of calculation techniques while designing and planning a technology of open-pit mineral mining and their processing into the end product. The criterion can be used expediently while selecting the rational facilities in the links of mining-processing complexes used industrially in terms of open-pit mining of mineral raw materials.