Modern Quarrying Q4 2020

Haul road maintenance practices play a huge role in the overall productivity and safe operation of quarries.

HAUL ROADS

Haul road maintenance requires a dedicated focus and should be addressed on a continual basis as part of the operational cycle since good roads improve production, extend tyre life and reduce overall operating costs, writes Munesu Shoko. HAUL ROADS – THE HEART OF EVERY QUARRY OPERATION

H aul road maintenance practices play a huge role in the overall productivity and safe operation of quarries. According to Nick Kyriacos, ADT product marketing manager at Bell Equipment, good haul road maintenance in a quarry operation is hugely important because a truck’s suspension system can only do so much to deal with poorly maintained roads. “We find that two things occur as a result of poorly maintained haul roads – firstly, the opera- tor slows down because of the discomfort, which directly results in reduced productivity. We also find accelerated wear on components, which leads

to unscheduled and unnecessary downtime, and productivity is again negatively affected,” says Kyriacos. While a strong relationship exists between haul road maintenance and economical, safe operations at quarry sites, the design aspect of haul roads cannot be underestimated. A good quarry haul road design, says Peter-Valentin Sauter, Caterpillar senior quarry specialist, means that trucks can travel in safe conditions at the most fuel-efficient level and rated speed with the target payload, day or night and in all weather conditions. “Crowned straight sections, super-elevated curves and safety berms with drainage ditches on both sides

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MODERN QUARRYING QUARTER 4 - 2020