title: New approach for reduction of diesel consumption by comparing different mining haulage configurations.
abstract: The mining operations of loading and haulage have an energy source that is highly dependent on fossil fuels. In mining companies that select trucks for haulage, this input is the main component of mining costs. How can the impact of the operational aspects on the diesel consumption of haulage operations in surface mines be assessed? There are many studies relating the consumption of fuel trucks to several variables, but a methodology that prioritizes higher-impact variables under each specific condition is not available. Generic models may not apply to all operational settings presented in the mining industry. This study aims to create a method of analysis, identification, and prioritization of variables related to fuel consumption of haul trucks in open pit mines. For this purpose, statistical analysis techniques and mathematical modelling tools using multiple linear regressions will be applied. The model is shown to be suitable because the results generate a good description of the fuel consumption behaviour. In the practical application of the method, the reduction of diesel consumption reached 10%. The implementation requires no large-scale investments or very long deadlines and can be applied to mining haulage operations in other settings.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Science and Technology, Federal University of Alfenas, Brazil. Electronic address: edmo.rodovalho@unifal-mg.edu.br.
authors.forename: Edmo da Cunha
authors.initials: Eda C
authors.lastname: Rodovalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Mining Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil. Electronic address: hernani.lima@ufop.br.
authors.forename: Hernani Mota
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: gdetomi@usp.br.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Tomi
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D005742:Gasoline; D006801:Humans; D008906:Mining / Q000458:organization & administration; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D015999:Multivariate Analysis
chemical_list: D005742:Gasoline
keywords: Fuel consumption; Mathematical modelling; Mining haulage operations; Statistics