Larry, The client has a site with steep hills of fractured rock possibly sitting on pyroclastic material. The resultant slope angles for earthworks cuts are low. To get a conventional troughed-belt conveyor over the hills will require large cuts and therefore very large amounts of earthworks and disturbed area.

So, the percieved advantages are:

reduced earthworks,

higher incline angles of the conveyor and

reduced or eliminated elevated steel structures over valleys.

Secondary items are reduced number of rotating components (1/2 the number of bearings), maintenance access to rolling elements, reduced contact water due to reduced disturbance.

There are obviously arguments for conventional overland conveyor and I have heard many but am putting this out there to capture as much as I can.

Thanks for your input.

Mark W. ■

Thanks for the responses but just to make things clear I am not referring to the discrete load ropeway but the belt conveyor suspended on a rope structure. The one that uses flat steel-cored belt with convoluted sides and runs on static ropes. I am loath to mention supplier names on these sites. There is one at Allied Gold Simberi Island mine http://www.alliedgold.com.au/index.php?tgtPage=gallery

EDIT: Here it is:

https://forum.bulk-online.com/showthread.php?t=17567

Also there is younger rock on top of the pyroclstics that means the natural terrain has steep slopes but deep cuts may expose the pyroclastics and allow bulk slip. (my laymans understanding of the black art of geotech)

M ■

Thanks Larry,

We have carried out scoping studies. We are aware that the cost of the hardware is much higher than a conventional overland conveyor but once the route establishment costs of earthworks, erosion control, access tracks, bridge and culvert structures etc are added in the equation is substantially different (for our site). Therefore we have a new technology looking very competitive against an established technology. I am seeking people's opinions on the new technology because you only ever hear good news from any supplier! Perhaps they don't know what they don't know...

The project has plans for an in-depth assessment using international experts in the field but if we learn of fatal flaws or major issues then it may not get that far.

BTW, the project requires a SUBSTANTIAL conveyor system. High lift, high capacity, long length. The only thing it doesn't have is a need for horizontal curves.

So, real issues? real experience? already studied it and rejected it? fundamental flaws you can see?

M ■

An update on an old thread:

Since posting my question some time ago, our project team has conducted a substantial exercise of evaluating the RopeCon system as an option for our project.

To date this has involved the engagement of independent industry expertise, visits to existing ropecon installations, visits to the design and manufacturing facilities and visits to the belt manufacturing and testing facilities. The supplier has carried out design and prototyping works to suit the demands of our project. We have reviewed the designs and inspected the prototypes.

A belt design and splice design has been prototyped with the splice achieving greater than 10,000 cycles at 50% efficiency on the new test rig at Hannover. Like other ropecon belts this one has axles attached and is flat so it is a special and not the same as a conventional steel cord belt. The belt tested has a very high ST rating and uses the largest steel cords available. The splice is a relatively simple one compared to a conventional belt of similar rating.

The result of our investigation is that we have not found any technical reason why this system should not be considered for our project. Of course, the final project decision will include construction time, capital cost, operating costs, commercial, environmental and other issues. Our project's alignment allows us to consider conventional troughed belt overland conveyors also so we are able to make a direct comparison.

As with any major new mine, our project is moving slowly through the various gates. Updates will remain infrequent for the time being.

M ■