Hindustan Zinc is using Loadscan’s load volume scanners (LVS) to monitor material at two of its mines in India, the equipment manufacturer says.

At its Rajpua-Dariba mine, Hindustan Zinc’s oldest mine, it has a custom-mounted Loadscan (LVS-3CMX model) underground to measure ore, where it is crushed before taken to the surface by lift. Within this mine, there’s also a block-mounted portable unit (LVS-3BMP) positioned at the portal to measure trucks as they come to the surface. Another two custom-mounted scanners (LVS-3CMX) were purchased for the Zawar mine.

Pavan Kaushik, Vice President and Head of Corporate Communication at Hindustan Zinc, said the Loadscan units have been helpful to improve operational performance by “managing haul-back to reveal our true shift tally”.

“We can now accurately calculate net volumes delivered for processing,” Kaushik said. “Time is also saved by minimising paperwork; there’s no manual data entry, driver records or after-shift record sorting.”

Increased trucking “factors” has led to production gains, including lower cost per tonne of material hauled, optimising truck loading and improved productivity,” he added.

Loadscan says: “The Loadscan LVS is the original non-contact, automated ‘drive-through’ truck load measurement instrument. It’s an affordable, effective alternative to heavy-duty truck scales for the monitoring, tracking, and management of load data.

“Compared to conventional weighing systems, Loadscan boasts greater accuracy in payload measurements, and, unlike permanent weighbridge installations (that require extensive site works), the LVS is quick and easy to set up so trucks can be scanned without delay.”

As the target vehicle drives under the scanner, the LVS scans the load and creates a 3D model or ‘surface profile’. By comparing this profile with vehicle details stored on file for the same vehicle when empty, the LVS is able to calculate the load volume to a proven accuracy of +/- 1% or to the point of resolution which is 0.1 m³.

All the mining trucks in Hindustan’s fleet are fitted with RFID tags, allowing the LVS units (which feature tag readers) to automatically identify each truck as it passes under the scanner and match it to its load.

By working from volume rather than weight, Hindustan Zinc obtains a more accurate measure of its materials, according to Loadscan. “The LVS literally ‘sees’ the load, whereas volume measurement converted from the weight generated from a weighing system is commonly affected by environment factors such as moisture and varying material densities.”

The custom mount head on the LVS-3CMX was the preferred option for the various sites due to its ability to be mounted virtually anywhere, either directly, or by custom mount, according to Loadscan. “This makes it great for attaching on mining portals, tunnels or for attaching to the side of buildings.”

The Loadscan LVS custom mount truck measurement units can be hard wired to a site office or run via a dedicated Loadscan kiosk.

The Loadscan LVS-3BMP is the portable option for large or long-term portable truck measurement projects where there may be a need to move the load scanning location, Loadscan says. The unit is mounted on a pre-cast concrete mounting block, making it easy to move around site by forklift or by lifting from its mounting points.