Fuel Consumption of Mining Machinery
Fuel consumption of mining machinery is a major operating cost in opencast mining. Proper monitoring and control of fuel usage can significantly reduce cost per tonne.
Why Fuel Consumption is Important in Mining?
- Fuel cost = 30–40% of operating cost
- Affects cost per tonne
- Direct impact on mine profitability
- Important for production planning
Fuel Consumption of Major Mining Machinery
1. Dump Truck Fuel Consumption
| Truck Capacity | Fuel Consumption (Liters/hour) |
|---|---|
| 35–50 T | 15 – 25 |
| 85 T | 25 – 35 |
| 100 T | 35 – 45 |
| 170 T | 50 – 65 |
| 240 T | 70 – 90 |
2. Hydraulic Shovel Fuel Consumption
| Bucket Capacity | Fuel Consumption (Liters/hour) |
|---|---|
| 5–10 m³ | 25 – 40 |
| 10–20 m³ | 40 – 60 |
| 20–40 m³ | 60 – 90 |
3. Excavator Fuel Consumption
| Bucket Capacity | Fuel Consumption (Liters/hour) |
|---|---|
| 1–2 m³ | 10 – 15 |
| 3–5 m³ | 15 – 25 |
| 5–8 m³ | 25 – 35 |
Fuel Consumption Formula
Fuel Consumption per Tonne = Fuel Used per Hour / Production per Hour
Example Calculation
Dump Truck Fuel Consumption = 40 liters/hour
Hourly Production = 600 tonnes/hour
Fuel per Tonne = 40 / 600 = 0.067 liters/tonne
Factors Affecting Fuel Consumption
- Haul road gradient & condition
- Payload efficiency
- Idle time
- Operator skill
- Machine maintenance
- Weather conditions
Fuel Saving Techniques in Mining
- Proper shovel–dumper matching
- Maintain haul road condition
- Avoid overloading & underloading
- Reduce idle time
- Regular engine tuning
- Use fuel monitoring system
Diesel vs Electric Mining Machinery
Electric mining machinery offers lower operating cost and zero emissions, but has higher initial investment.
Advantages of Fuel Monitoring
- Lower operating cost
- Improved machine efficiency
- Reduced carbon emission
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which mining machine consumes maximum fuel?
Large capacity dump trucks (170T–240T) consume maximum fuel.
Q2. How to reduce fuel consumption in mining?
By proper maintenance, road condition improvement, and operator training.
Conclusion
Fuel consumption control is essential for profitable mining operations. Even small improvements can save lakhs of rupees annually.
 | Indian Minerology){kind=link}
0 Comments