Choosing the Superior Method: Truck or Belt Conveyor System in Gohar Zamin Iron Ore Mine

Loading and transportation are often the most expensive process in an opencast mining operation. Gohar Zamin, being an important reserve with some 600 Million tons of iron ore, is now in the planning stage and an optimum loading and transportation system would add considerably to the economics of its operations. In this paper, two main methods have been introduced. The first method is the conventional shovel and trucks system, whilst the second one is using belt conveyors. The appropriate crushing method decided and the optimum location of the crushers has been determined in both cases. These two methods have then been subject to economic comparison, using real data from field studies in Gohar Zamin mine. The paper concludes that the method of using an in pit crusher and belt conveyors, being technically advantageous, is also more economical than the conventional method