NOISE REDUCTION/MARTIN DADLEFF, LIEBHERR, AUSTRALIA, DESCRIBES HOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAKE MACHINERY QUIETER

摘要

The BHP Billiton Mt Arthur Coal mining operation located in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia, needed to increase its production level to meet the requirements of domestic and international coal customers. The location of the open-cut operation, however, was close to residential areas in the nearby town of Muswellbrook, and so the company was required to adhere to stringent environmental noise limits. As significant reductions were required at the noise sources to comply with these limits, Mt Arthur Coal developed a noise specification that prescribes the maximum noise limits that can be emitted from mining equipment under a range of test conditions. The ability of the machines to meet the requirements of this noise specification was a critical factor in equipment selection. The noise limits specified by the mine for excavators and trucks was 116 dB(A) and 113 dB(A) respectively. Ongoing compliance under a range of operating conditions in accordance with Australian and International Standards remains the responsibility of the equipment supplier.