Maximising a Hoist’s Capacity Whilst Minimising Capital Investment

2019

David Allison, Lundin Mining; Albert Wessels, RSV USA consulting

Many hoists are built to handle a name plate capacity, however as production increases in other parts of the operation the hoist capacity often become the critical constraint.  Such a situation occurred at Lundin Mining’s Neves Corvo operation and this paper examines how each component of the hoist was examined and optimised.  The hoist capacity was increased though a combination of cycle time reduction, increase in payload capacity and increase in available hoisting time, without changing the hoist motor, drum or headframe.  Increase payload capacity was achieved though reducing the weight of the ropes and skips and improved load monitoring systems. The cycle time was reduced through the shortening of the creep distances, and increased availability through the installation of a safety platform and cooling of the electrical systems  to reduce down time during the hot summer months.  These changes will increase the capacity from the current 3.8 Mtpa to a planned 5.6 Mtpa, whilst maintaining the mine production during the upgrade work

Keywords: Hoist Optimisation