INTRODUCTION
MEC enabled a productive open cut coal mine to optimise an existing dragline operation, thereby decreasing truck and shovel use and maintaining coal targets. The company approached MEC to provide an analysis of options that would maintain budgeted coal uncovery while maximising dragline efficiency in a key operational pit. MEC presented a diverse range of options that allowed the client to prepare for any possible scenario. MEC prepared short term designs and plans and presented key findings that enabled the client to prioritise areas of the pit.
Bulk dozer push costs are typically between $1.30 and $2.00 per bcm, and compare favourably with truck shovel costs of up to $4.00 per bcm. Bulk dozer push can be applied in most situations where the coal dip is less than 20 degrees, offsetting other more expensive methods. As the low capital alternative to a dragline, dozers are inexpensive to purchase and move more material per operator hour than all but the largest of excavator fleets.