Fragmentation is one of the most important characteristics of the muckpile that affect the performance of the loading equipment. The fragmentation is characterized by its mean and characteristic size, index of uniformity, % fines and oversize. The focus of this research was to find the effect of fragmentation on the productivity of loading equipment.; Laboratory tests were conducted to find the variation in the % voids, stickiness and angle of repose for various size distributions. It was found that % voids increase with increase in the mean size and index of uniformity. Stickiness increased with increase in the moisture content and the same trend was observed with angle of repose. Index of uniformity has insignificant impact on the stickiness and angle of repose.; The field studies were conducted in an underground and two open pit mines and data on bucket fill factor, dig cycle time and production were collected. Photographs of muckpiles were taken during the loading process and were analyzed using WIPFRAG software to find the size distribution. Long dig cycle times, low fill factors and low production rates were observed with higher mean sizes, while index of uniformity had insignificant impact on these productivity factors. Dig cycle time was more with increased fines and oversize.; The results of the study are consistent with observations and experience during regular loading operations. Further the study shows the importance of fragmentation analysis and knowledge of muckpile characteristics in achieving the maximum potential from the loading equipment.
展开▼
