Generating of Electric Energy by a Declined Overburden Conveyor in a Continuous Surface Mine

Exploitation of lignite in continuous surface mines requires removing masses overburden, which are hauled to a dumpsite. There some technological arrangements where the overburden is transported several dozen meters down spreader operating on lower located dumping level. Depending an angle declined transportation route, there possibility convert potential gravitational energy conveyed into electric energy. To recover maximum percentage stored energy, energy-effective and fully loaded belt conveyor should work generator mode. Due implementation such solution, mine, great consumer, can obtain status electricity prosumer reduce its environmental impact, particular demonstrating significant savings primary consumption. Though mining phasing out Europe, recuperative, conveyors for downhill transport match up targets sustainable mining, understood as getting benefits from exploited natural resources. According analyzed case study, investment installation regenerative inverters power supply would pay off within 3–4 years.