A preliminary study of tramming speeds in multiple tele-operated load-haul-dump scenarios using QUEST

Tele-operated Load Haul Dump (LHDs) machines are becoming a common tramming solution throughout many mines at INCO Limited in Copper Cliff, Ontario, Canada. To reach maximum productivity from multiple teleoperated LHDs, the system must achieve a proper balance of LHD speed in the haulage network and haulage layout geometry. A study was inititated to determine if multiple LHDs, tramming in second gear under automatic guidance, would influence the total throughput of a production process. A simulation model was used to evaluate the haulage system throughput with the LHDs tramming in second gear while under automatic guidance. The study indicated that allowing LHDs to operate in second gear for the specified haulage layout configuration, may not provide an increase in system capacity. The paper concludes that further investigation of key tramming system variables should be carried out to optimize LHD speed with the haulage layout geometry.