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PERSONNEL AND MATERIAL TRANSPORT |
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Materials Transport |
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Materials Transport
Note that the term "supplies" is often used instead of materials.
The most widely adopted materials transport system in
Australian coal mines comprises diesel powered tractors towing trailers, the
most common type of tractor being an articulated load/haul/dump ("LHD")
machine, normally fitted with a "quick
attach" scoop bucket with the "quick attach" system allowing the bucket to be
easily removed and replaced with other purpose designed attachments when not
towing trailers. Such attachments include forks for pallet handling, work
platforms for high work, cable or conveyor belt reelers, stone dusters, roof
bolters, etc.
Originally trailers used in such systems were general purpose flatbed trays, but increasingly use is being made of specialized purpose designed trailers built for specific purposes or materials. While removing some of the flexibility of the earlier systems it significantly improves safety and efficiency in materials handling.
An alternative transport system is available where articulated diesel prime movers fitted with U-shaped ends (or "tuning forks") enable pods to be attached and transported throughout the mine in the fork attachment - the pods replace the trailers in the system described above. The prime movers lack the flexibility of being utilized for other functions when not transporting materials, but the pods are considerably cheaper than trailers and the prime movers less expensive than LHD's.
Increasing use is being made of palletizing or containerising supplies where suitable, to facilitate handling of bulk materials (e.g. loading all supplies needed for a set distance of mining roadways into a purpose designed pod or container; stonedust in 1 tonne capacity bulk bags instead of 25kg small bags) or packaging items previously supplied loose (e.g. supply of road ballast in 1 tonne capacity bags).
While all these initiatives are aimed at improving overall efficiency, it is important to ensure that they are designed to fit in with available equipment or that suitable equipment is provided before they are introduced into an existing operation.
It is noted that while rubber tyred equipment is extensively used throughout the industry, caterpillar tracked vehicles are also being introduced, particularly for handling large equipment such as longwall shearers and supports.
Until the mid 1990's, all diesel vehicles used underground were required to have exhaust "scrubbers" (essentially a water tank that exhaust gases pass through before being released into the atmosphere) and protective devices fitted to prevent the engine from potentially igniting gas. Trials have been underway since that time to introduce standard diesel vehicles, as used on the surface for use underground, provided such vehicles are restricted to locations where gas should not be found (essentially in intake airways up to a set distance from the face area) and they are fitted with devices to prevent them being used in a non-approved manner. This is not yet accepted practice in NSW.