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Study of Long-Distance Belt Conveying for Underground Copper Mines

Author

Listed:
  • Natalia Suchorab-Matuszewska

    (Department of Mining, Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Witold Kawalec

    (Department of Mining, Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Robert Król

    (Department of Mining, Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland)

Abstract

Efficient material handling is critical for mining productivity, safety energy and cost control. This paper analyzes the energy efficiency of five alternative designs for a 3 km inclined underground conveyor system for copper ore transport, considering route geometry, belt specifications, drive configurations, and operational parameters. Two main design approaches were examined: a single long conveyor and two shorter conveyors. Variants differed in belt tensile strength, the use of intermediate drives, and system layout. Calculations results achieved by using dedicated QNK-TT software (version 4.45.21.08.10.18.11) show differences in the specific energy consumption index between variants for both average and peak capacities and highlight that high-capacity performance requires non-standard solutions: either higher belt strength or an intermediate drive system. The study shows that conveyor energy efficiency depends strongly on load level, with near-maximum throughput yielding the best performance. The authors conclude that conveyor system component selection should be based on a multi-criteria evaluation—including the capacity margin, operational safety and maintenance complexity—rather than energy efficiency alone.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia Suchorab-Matuszewska & Witold Kawalec & Robert Król, 2025. "Study of Long-Distance Belt Conveying for Underground Copper Mines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:18:p:4872-:d:1748778
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ediriweera, Amali & Wiewiora, Anna, 2021. "Barriers and enablers of technology adoption in the mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    2. Ghorbani, Yousef & Nwaila, Glen T. & Zhang, Steven E. & Bourdeau, Julie E. & Cánovas, Manuel & Arzua, Javier & Nikadat, Nooraddin, 2023. "Moving towards deep underground mineral resources: Drivers, challenges and potential solutions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    3. Witold Kawalec & Robert Król & Natalia Suchorab, 2020. "Regenerative Belt Conveyor versus Haul Truck-Based Transport: Polish Open-Pit Mines Facing Sustainable Development Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Mirosław Bajda & Leszek Jurdziak & Zbigniew Konieczka, 2025. "Impact of Monthly Load Variability on the Energy Consumption of Twin Belt Conveyors in a Lignite Mine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Witold Kawalec & Natalia Suchorab & Martyna Konieczna-Fuławka & Robert Król, 2020. "Specific Energy Consumption of a Belt Conveyor System in a Continuous Surface Mine," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-10, October.
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