MINING TRUCKS
The long haulers and
ADTs
China Space Sanjiang Group (CSSG) 110 t
autonomous truck running at
the Chengmenshan Copper Mine of Jiangxi
Copper Group
of either an MTU 16V4000C13 or Cummins QSK60
engine, and is listed as being able to run on diesel
or LNG. The power of the traction motor is 764 kW.
For the first time, anti-drag braking technology is
introduced to reduce fuel consumption. Its
modular design reduces maintenance time,
improves operating efficiency, and saves fuel costs
says CRRC. The electric drive is CRRC’s own
technology, adapted from its high speed rail
business.
In autonomy, the Chinese mining truck
manufacturer China Space Sanjiang Group (CSSG)
last year displayed an 110 t autonomous truck it
jointly developed with autonomy tech company
Vipioneers at the 2019 World Conference on the
VR Industry in Nanchang. The machine has now
moved to a real operation, namely the
Chengmenshan Copper Mine of Jiangxi Copper
Group, as reported by news agency Xinhua. The
unit has successfully loaded material from a
kilometre away, dumped it on a wastepile
according to a preset route, then returned safely.
Chinese power company State Power
Investment Corp operates three 10 Mt/y class
open pit mines in Huolinhe, Inner Mongolia,
namely the South Coal Mine, the North Coal Mine
and the Zhahanur Coal Mine. After nearly a year of
planning and consultation, recently, the South
Coal Mine and Chinese mining truck automation
major Beijing Tage Zhixing Technology Co Ltd
(Tage Idriver) jointly conducted a preliminary
inspection of two unmanned dump trucks in the
Nanneri dump area of the mine.
The XEMC 108 t SF31904 dump truck type was
used for the experiment with two electric drive
trucks automated, number 68 and 69. The
driverless dump truck was demonstrated in the
experimental area. The demonstration project
included driving on a fixed route and simulating
the pick-up. The vehicles using simulated
unloading and automatic obstacle avoidance have
passed the on-site driving inspection, and the
unmanned dump truck project has reached the
initial inspection standard.
42 International Mining | APRIL 2020
Mining customers until now have
chosen from three basic classes of
haul trucks – OHT (Off Highway
Trucks) that are designed for short
hauls from pit to a ROM or waste
dump up to 5 km one way on well-
maintained roads, ADTs
(Articulated Dump Trucks) that are
designed for short hauls in very
harsh terrain and steep grades but
with higher operating costs due to the complex
powertrain design needed for this type of
application; and a third bracket, EHDC (Extra
Heavy Duty Configuration), essentially highly
modified heavy duty ‘on highway’ trucks suitable
for longer hauls over 5 km one way and including
well received models from companies like Scania,
BAS Mining Trucks and Elphinstone (Haulmax). A
big factor in greater sales of these trucks has been
the development of satellite pits feeding ore to
what are already remote process plants beside
existing mines. These EHDC trucks make haulage
an option for 20, 30 or even 40 km hauls but they
do have their limitations in certain situations. So
aside from these brackets some more radical
designs have also been introduced such as the
new Loadpro X60 truck and the Rexx dual
powered 20-wheel dump truck from Bis Industries
which has now been proven in nickel, gold and coal
mines.
Loadpro says its X60 will operate with high
efficiency across many haul applications with a
payload of up to 70 t (depending on application)
with the model having the nickname ‘1HAUL.’
Efficiency is delivered it says through a well-
designed and matched high-performance
powertrain and low vehicle tare weight. The
company says higher downhill loaded speeds are
possible while increasing production through
reduced cycle times. It also has increased traction
and control in slippery conditions. Dual rear-drive
axles (eight tyres) and a 6 x 4 axle configuration
allows for 25% more tyre ground contact when
compared to similar capacity OHT. Lower ground
pressure suits soft ground conditions.
It is also suitable for pit to port haulage with
steep grade hauling ability and extended haul
capability using tyres suited to long hauls where
heat build-up is prevalent and it has a low vehicle
centre of gravity with a platform more suited to
large volume bodies and vessels. A mid-mounted
engine placement means a low centre of gravity.
Mechanics have open access for quick ground
level service and component replacement. Engine
and transmission can be replaced inside of a day.
The ergonomic quite cab with operator high
visibility with easy access.
The truck suits hauls of up to 25 km and
Loadpro is now building 12 production units for a
customer in Indonesia, while construction
materials giant Hanson has also indicated they
would like to be involved in trials.
Looking at BAS Mining Trucks, the Waghnion
gold mine in Burkina Faso (operated by Teranga) it
says is a great example of how its models can
reduce cost per tonne. The project has 16 trucks
(10 x 6 tipper trucks with 30 m 3 tipper bodies with
a 50 t payload), two water trucks (same chassis,
same engine, same transmission for parts
commonality), one lube truck 4 x 4 (same chassis,
same engine, same transmission for parts
commonality) and 1 diesel bowser 4 x 4 (again
same chassis, same engine, same transmission for
parts commonality). The trucks have an average
diesel consumption of around 14 litres per hour
(50 t payload) which is less than half of what the
articulated trucks on site are using (40 t payload).
The 10 x 6 trucks currently haul overburden and
ore over distances of around 4 km but the distances
will increase once the deposits further away from
the crusher/processing plant are being mined.
More recently, indurad has been involved with
Bell Equipment in the iTruck development project
where an articulated dump truck (ADT) is going to
be automated in a European quarry operation.
indurad’s Product Manager Mining Autonomy Dr
Christian Riedel commented to IM based on
several years’ experience with the development
The new Loadpro X60 is one of a new breed of ultra long haul mining truck designs