MAINTENANCE
Above: Diligent tyre management is one of the most
important functions on any mine.
Right: Damaged tyres as a result of badly maintained haul
roads comes at a price.
maintenance, can cause sidewall flexing
when haul vehicles pass over it. Due
to the narrow nature of most mine
haul roads, straddling a windrow is
unavoidable. It is advisable that the driver
use the side of the haul road that is free of
large lumps of material or rocks. This may
require operators to be instructed to yield
or stop if another vehicle with right of way,
according to the trackless vehicle policy,
approach from the opposite direction in
the clear section of the haul road.
Training of haul vehicle operators in
hazard identification is the first step in
reducing tyre damage. Operators and
supervisors should also be encouraged
to notify operators of possible damage
to their tyres while operating the vehicle
to limit further damage. A daily haul road
checklist will include but is not limited
to: ensuring the road is free of puddles,
potholes, ruts and gullies. Furthermore,
that the passing room is adequate and
that the corner radius allows operating
at optimal safe operational speed. An
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effort should be made that all spillage is
removed as soon as possible after it has
occurred or was reported. Regular checks
should also include ensuring no rubber
deposits are present on tight, rocky turns
and high braking forces are not needed on
corners.
In the load zone it should be ensured
that the floor is smooth and ponded surface
water removal is adequate. It should also
be ensured that any debris is cleared away
and haul vehicles do not drive over loose
or exposed rocks. Operators should ensure
that trucks leave under full, continuous
acceleration and can return without making
tight, high-speed turns.
At the dump zone it should also be
ensured that the floor is smooth. The haul
road should be able to allow haul vehicles
to enter at optimal safe operating speed,
parallel to the edge. Drivers should ensure
that trucks brake in a straight line, before
turning and stopping to reverse and dump
the load. Finally, it should be ensured that
the safety berms are at regulation height.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr Nicolaas Steenkamp has almost two
decades post-qualification experience in
the geological, geotechnical and industry.
He has been involved in a variety of
consultation activities ranging from
exploration, geochemistry, geological and
geotechnical investigations, desktop and
market studies, country reviews, due
diligence, EPCM contract management
and related feasibility studies.
www.bowlineps.co.za
MARCH 2020
27