Analysis of the Scope for Reducing the Level of Energy Consumption of Crew Transport in an Underground Mining Plant Using a Conveyor Belt System Mining Plant

Paweł Bogacz (), Łukasz Cieślik (), Dawid Osowski and Paweł Kochaj
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Paweł Bogacz: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Łukasz Cieślik: Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A., 21-013 Bogdanka, Poland
Dawid Osowski: Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A., 21-013 Bogdanka, Poland
Paweł Kochaj: Lubelski Węgiel Bogdanka S.A., 21-013 Bogdanka, Poland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 20, 1-16

Abstract: One of the main elements that shape the production process in an underground mining plant is, in the broadest sense of the word, transport. Currently, a large amount of rolling stock from cable cars or suspended railways is maintained in mining plants, along with extensive infrastructure used for transporting crew and materials. The development of conveyor belt transport systems, as well as system process management, is increasing efficiency levels. Mining transport is a complex process, requiring large amounts of energy, which incurs significant production costs. We conduct a comparative analysis of the human transport system using a suspended railway with belt transport at Lubelski Węgiel “Bogdanka” Spółka Akcyjna (the largest hard coal mine in Poland), in terms of energy efficiency levels. We found that the process of transporting the crew in an underground mining plant to the production site using a conveyor belt system was less energy-intensive, and therefore created less emissions than the currently used model based on suspended queues. The analyses for the above project were conducted according to a model that was based on the study and analysis phase of the project through to its implementation and transfer to operational activities. The analysis was carried out based on the created simulation model, taking into account all elements of the crew transport process to and from the mining area. The implementation of the technical solution allowed for nearly a threefold reduction in the level of energy consumption and emissivity. In the analyzed model, the energy consumption in the first phase of production was 3.04 kWh per employee using the diesel rails system and 1.13 per employee using the belt conveyor system.

Keywords: energy consumption; amount of emissions created; optimization of the haulage system; conveyor belt; underground mining plant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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