Scholarly record

APPLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL CLOSED TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN MINING INDUSTRY

Daniela Marasová

Abstract

Transport and environment rank among current global problems as the transport and the environment are closely interconnected. The environmental impact of all types of transport is manifested in various forms, such as noise, environmental pollution by harmful substances, soil demand, etc. These issues are rather complex, and the solution thereof is even more complicated. The current situation in the transport of materials is characterised by increased performance of means of transport and the reduction of their negative effects on the environment. That is why the current efforts are primarily focused on the development of enclosed conveyance systems which not only show good technical parameters and require low costs, but also meet the third requirement, i.e., being environment-friendly. The present article deals with newly developed enclosed conveyance systems. It describes the principle of their operation and particular operational applications in the mining industry and mining operations (digging tunnels). The article describes their function mechanism, basic structural components, advantages, disadvantages and the application of the enclosed conveyance systems Sicon, U-Con, Ecotubelt and others in the mining industry. Due to simple assembly, significant reduction of maintenance costs, high transportation capacity, and improved working environment, they are predetermined for a wide range of applications. Enclosed conveyance systems are multi-purpose systems of the future, suitable for the conveyance of materials. They share many advantages, such as cleanness, safety, adaptability to multiple loading methods and various situations, independence from weather conditions, extremely high productivity, absence of environmental pollution by transported materials, elimination of noise and vibrations, smooth negotiation of inclines, declines and track curves, and the ability to convey materials over long-distances - from several kilometres to several hundreds of kilometres. The greatest advantage of such systems is their ecological cleanness which contributes to the improvement in working conditions, especially for the system operating personnel; it also improves and protects the environment within a large surrounding area. At present, a large number of tunnels are being built all over the world, most intensively so in Asian countries, such as India, China and Hong Kong, where dozens of tunnels are currently being built. Construction of tunnels in the Slovak Republic is affected by great difficulties regarding the selection of technology and technological procedures for removal of material, as a result of complex geological conditions and short lengths of the dug sections. Construction of each tunnel is specific and, accordingly, so is the selection of technological procedures for the removal of disintegrated soil. The article describes the function mechanism, applications and operation of enclosed capsule conveyance systems suitable not only for the transport of disintegrated rock from the tunnel, but also for the transport of mineral materials in the mining industry. The final section of the article presents the comparison of alternative applications of enclosed conveyance systems, applying the evaluation criteria, and the resulting order of individual alternatives based on the expert approach, using the methods of decision -making analysis.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2019/1.3/s03.007

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