Reliability of rubber conveyor belts as a part of the overburden removal system - case study: tamnava-east field open cast mine

Abstract

This paper identifies the rubber belt conveyers' reliability function, operating on machines (bucket-wheel excavator, beltwagon, spreader) removing overburden on the Tamnava - East Field Open Cast Mine, depending on the belt length and operating time. The proposed methodology used to analyse operating time until failure is the basis to identify the reliability function. The methodology is based on the fact that belt operating time until failure may be represented by the composition of exponential distribution (sudden failures) and normal distribution (gradual failure), as well as on the fact that there is linear dependence between the belt length and the mean operating time until gradual failures. The proposed methodology and reliability function may be applied to analyse operation of other open cast mines, with certain adjustments, to provide better downtime planning, spare rubber belts planning, as well as to reduce open cast mine operating costs, i.e. optimal maintenance strategy.