How to Make Mining Conveyor Systems More Environmentally Friendly

Owners of mining enterprises can reduce the environmental impact of their conveyor systems without having to overhaul the entire conveyor belt system. This article discusses some of the measures that you can take to make your mine's conveyor system more green.

Install Sleep Mode Controls

You can upgrade the process logic control (PLC) system of the conveyors in the mine so that the system turns off the motors automatically once the conveyor belts remain unused for an extended period of time. For instance, the control system can turn off the conveyor belt motors during shift changes or when workers have taken a lunch break. The intelligent system can then turn on the motors once cargo is detected on the belts. This approach can reduce the energy consumed by the conveyor belt system when materials aren't being conveyed for a given length of time.

Install Energy-Efficient Motors

Another way to cut costs and reduce the carbon footprint of your mine's conveyor belt system is to install energy-efficient conveyor motors. Technological advancements have enabled manufacturers of conveyor belt systems to improve the performance of different conveyor belt components, including conveyor motors. You should therefore consider upgrading to more energy-efficient motors so that you can reap the long-term reduction in energy costs.

Monitor Energy Usage

You can also acquire software to enable operators to monitor the energy that is being used by the conveyor system during various stages of its operation. Such a system can help the operator to adjust the speed at which the conveyor belt is traveling so that optimum energy use is maintained for the different loads carried by the system. For instance, belt speeds can be reduced when there is a heavy load so that motors do not consume a lot of energy to convey the heavy load at the same high speed as when the system is carrying a lighter load. Such an approach can lead to longer component life.

As you can see, you do not need to overhaul the entire conveyor belt system in order to make material handling more eco-friendly in your mine. You can use the approach of changing one component at a time so that your budget is not overwhelmed by the changes that need to be made in order to realise environmental benefits. Consult your provider of conveyor systems so that he or she devises the most cost effective way to go green without affecting the smooth operation of your mining services.