PM(10) level versus dumpers discharges in open pit mines

Abstract

The present paper seeks a first systematic contribution to find and define relations between occupational variables and the productive process restrainments. The scope was the need to find cause-effect relations between the occupational environment conditions, namely PM(10) and the procedures involved in the primary/discharge bin system in open pit mining. Data collection during the entire working schedule took place in three aggregate companies, for several days, in and outside the system operator's booth. Simultaneously, occurrence time of elements of the productive process, considered critical, such as dumpers discharges or the primary crusher jamming, were noted down. From the results analysis, direct and indirect relations, between the registered variables were found. As a main conclusion, a strong relation between the PM(10) and the dumpers discharge cycles was confirmed. However, according to the registers, these cycles exhibit a dissipation velocity higher than the one expected.