Two new 7531 series 240 t BELAZ dump truck have begun operating at the Andrey Varichev Mikhailovsky GOK iron ore mine in Russia, part of Metalloinvest, this year. They are being used for the transportation of mined ore to transhipment points and to the crushing and conveyor facility. These are the third and fourth trucks of this capacity at the enterprise. The trucks were purchased as part of Metalloinvest’s investment programme to develop the mining transport division, which aims to renew the fleet and transition to high-capacity machinery.
Victor Kuznetsov, Head of the Operations Unit of the Motor and Tractor Department at Mikhailovsky GOK, commented: “Compared to 220 t trucks, the new BELAZ trucks can transport 600 t more per shift and 30,000 t more per month. In addition to dump trucks, excavators with 18-20 cubic metre buckets are being purchased, providing an optimal balance between the volumes of the vehicle body and the excavator bucket.”
The truck’s engine power has been increased by 200 horsepower, enabling it to overcome uphill gradients with greater ease. Front suspension components, steering rods and ball joints are strengthened, providing stability on the road and a smooth ride. The truck’s body is equipped with a large front visor, which completely covers the technological platform and the cabin from falling rocks. The BELAZ truck is equipped with modern automatic fire extinguishing, tyre pressure monitoring and video surveillance systems. An on-board computer monitors all of the truck’s operating parameters.
But interestingly the trucks have also been fitted with a fatigue management system as part a pilot project in real world conditions. Cameras in the driver’s cabin record the driver’s facial expressions, eye movements and head-turns, and if signs of fatigue or drowsiness are identified, an audible signal is emitted. Based on the results of the pilot, a decision will be made regarding implementing the system on other equipment in the mine. The OKO Mining optical fatigue detection system was supplied by Russian technology company OKO Systems and implemented at site by Engineering Company ‘Technology of Mining Works’ LLC, with whom Mikhailovsky GOK has signed an agreement to conduct trials.
In more detail, optical sensors in the system monitor the driver’s face, eyes and the direction of their gaze. If the driver is not looking at the road – the system produces an audio signal; if the sensors do not ‘see’ the driver’s pupils – the system produces an audio signal; and if the driver’s gaze does not return to the road for a long time – the system triggers an alarm. The alarm information is stored in the device’s database and transmitted to the dispatcher’s online office.