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Dump Truck in Mining: Capacity, Cycle Time & Production Calculation (With Example) | Indian Minerology

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Dump Truck in Mining: Capacity, Cycle Time & Production Calculation

Dump Truck in Mining: Capacity, Cycle Time & Production Calculation (With Example) | Indian Minerology

Dump truck is one of the most widely used surface mining machinery. It is mainly used to transport blasted material from loading point to dumping or crusher point.

What is a Dump Truck?

A dump truck is a heavy earth moving machine (HEMM) designed to carry large quantities of overburden or ore in opencast mines. It works in combination with hydraulic shovels or excavators.

Main Parts of Dump Truck

  • Dump Body
  • Chassis Frame
  • Engine
  • Transmission
  • Hydraulic System
  • Tyres
  • Brake System

Types of Dump Trucks Used in Mining

  • Rear Dump Truck (RDT)
  • Bottom Dump Truck
  • Rigid Dump Truck
  • Articulated Dump Truck

Dump Truck Capacity

Dump truck capacity is generally expressed in tonnes or cubic meters.

Common Mining Dump Truck Capacities:

  • 35 T
  • 50 T
  • 85 T
  • 100 T
  • 170 T
  • 240 T

Dump Truck Cycle Time

Cycle time is the total time taken by a dump truck to complete one full cycle.

Cycle Time Includes:

  • Loading time
  • Hauling loaded
  • Dumping time
  • Returning empty
  • Waiting & spotting time

Typical Cycle Time:

8 to 15 minutes depending on haul road condition and distance.

Dump Truck Production Calculation

Formula:

Hourly Production (tonnes/hr) = Truck Capacity × Number of Trips per Hour

Trips per Hour:

Trips per Hour = 60 / Cycle Time (minutes)

Example Calculation

Dump Truck Capacity = 100 tonnes
Cycle Time = 10 minutes

Trips per Hour = 60 / 10 = 6
Hourly Production = 100 × 6 = 600 tonnes/hr

Factors Affecting Dump Truck Productivity

  • Haul road gradient
  • Road condition
  • Loading efficiency
  • Operator skill
  • Maintenance condition

Fuel Consumption of Dump Truck

Fuel consumption depends on load, haul distance, and road condition.

  • 85T Truck: 25–35 liters/hour
  • 100T Truck: 35–45 liters/hour
  • 240T Truck: 70–90 liters/hour

Advantages of Dump Truck

  • High hauling capacity
  • Flexible operation
  • Suitable for large mines

Safety Precautions

  • Speed limit enforcement
  • Proper braking system
  • Regular tyre inspection
  • Safe dumping edge distance

Dump Truck vs Conveyor System

Dump trucks offer flexibility, while conveyors are suitable for fixed routes with continuous material handling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which dump truck is best for opencast mining?

Rigid dump trucks of 100T–240T are best for large opencast mines.

Q2. How many dump trucks are required for one shovel?

It depends on shovel capacity and cycle time, calculated using shovel–dumper matching.

Conclusion

Dump trucks are the backbone of material transportation in opencast mining. Proper selection and maintenance can significantly reduce mining cost.

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