A Mine-to-Crusher Model to Minimize Costs at a Truckless Open-Pit Iron Mine in Brazil

Innovation has an important role in improving the productivity, safety and sustainability of mining operations. Historically, ore transport was done by diesel trucks, but with commitment to reduce CO2 emissions increase mine safety, companies have invested innovative, more sustainable technologies. The innovative truckless system, intensive use belt conveyors from processing plant, represents a huge project capital investment. However, operation costs are lower when considering decrease fuel also maintenance expenses. This paper presents economic analysis mine-to-crusher model estimate minimize operating expenses open-pit iron located northern Brazil. activities at this consist drilling blasting, loading primary crushing. In study, calibration based on rock fragmentation blasting phase. each phase were estimated for optimum 80% passing size (P80). conducted values technical parameters 2019. By structural lithologies canga jaspillites, we concluded that P80 value minimizes might be range 0.31 0.34 m.