HIGH PROFILE the absence of shift changes and lunch breaks xn Allows you to work in conditions of limited visibility and gas pollution xn At the same time , the use of robots in the mining industry significantly reduces the influence of the human factor , especially in places potentially dangerous to life ( for example , uranium mines ). Today , for high-quality and smooth operation of robotic machines , the design of the main units of the dump truck has also been adapted : xn Developed a steering and braking system using hydraulic proportional valves , which are ideal for digital programmable systems . This made it possible , together with modern navigation systems , to achieve high positioning accuracy while driving , repeatability of the optimal route and fuel economy xn All the electronic systems of the machines involved in the mining process are united into one intelligent network , which makes it possible to generate detailed reports on the functioning of robotic equipment for assessing and adjusting work plans and transportation schedules , and service services receive up-todate information on the state of the components and systems of the robot , on the basis of which decisions are made on the planning of their maintenance xn In order to increase the speed and improve the quality of the transmitted video image and other information , the robot was tested with a new generation 5G GSM network . One of the most important aspects requiring special attention in the operation of robotic dump trucks is the issue of safety . For this , the trucks are equipped with video cameras , radar and LiDAR which allow the truck to objectively determine possible obstacles while driving and , using an intelligent algorithm , make a decision to bypass them or stop . All the main components of the vehicle have redundant control systems that come into operation when the main system fails .
The unique anti-lock and traction control systems developed at BELAZ , as well as the improved algorithms for controlling the electromechanical transmission , improve the safety of the robotic truck ’ s movement when the road situation deteriorates in the event of rain , snowfall and other unfavourable weather conditions . In case of unforeseen situations , the remote control of the dump truck can be taken over by the operator located in the control room .
In the future , BELAZ is ready to expand the number of models of dump trucks designed for autonomous operation . Intelligent equipment tested on mining dump trucks of the BELAZ-7513 and BELAZ-7558 series can be installed on all machines of extra heavy lifting capacity - 90 , 180 , 220 , 240 , 290 and 360 t . This will allow the mining companies and partners of BELAZ who already know the performance of Belarussian mining equipment and use it in their operations , to reduce the cost of mining operations further due to increased productivity .
Gas powered dump trucks
Meeting the interests of mining companies and satisfying the growing demands of consumers , BELAZ is implementing several breakthrough projects in the segment of open-pit vehicles running on LNG . The interest in it from the mining companies has been growing fast . After all , the technology that uses liquefied natural gas as a motor fuel allows not only saving of money , but also improves the environmental situation in high diesel consuming mines .
The work on the gasification of mining equipment is being carried out in two directions : gas-diesel and pure gas vehicles . In particular , BELAZ specialists are working on the development and production of a 90 t dump truck powered by an all gas-fuelled engine . Today , the company has also assembled a dump truck with a payload capacity of 136 t which is powered by a gas-diesel engine based on the Cummins KTA 50- C diesel engine .
Meanwhile , another BELAZ gas mining truck
development , the BELAZ-75476 mining dump truck , having passed operational tests in the Arkhangelsk region in the diamond mining open pit of Alrosa ’ s Lomonosov GOK , was converted to
use compressed natural gas . The machine is continuing its work with Alrosa . BELAZ also emphasises that all developments are carried out on the basis of marketing research and in close cooperation with potential consumers of the product .
Diesel trolley and electric vehicles
Diesel trolley assist mining trucks are another promising direction for BELAZ in line with global trends in the use of alternative energy sources in mining equipment . The use of open-pit vehicles of this trolley type represents an effective solution for mining transport operations , since it can increase the speed of the dump truck on the upramp by 1.8-2 times , which in turn will make it possible to increase productivity and increase the volume of traffic . Along the way , fuel consumption will be reduced by up to 80 %, emissions into the environment will be significantly reduced and the ecological situation in the mine and adjacent areas will be improved . The transition to diesel
SEPTEMBER 2021 | International Mining 121