A relatively small improvement in reclaimer production opportunity provides a high return on investment. Productivity improvements as small as one 1% will provide substantial economic benefit.
Safety improvement is achieved as a side benefit of the 3D imaging technology and provides reduced risk of machine to stockpile collisions. A machine collision can have a substantial damage cost and usually a more costly production loss.
Route loading stabilisation is also achieved as a side benefit of the reclaim volume control and reduces equipment overloading.
Improved reclaimer production rate has many benefits in addition to the increased production opportunity:
- Faster ship/train loading time
- Reduced operating time for transport equipment (conveyors)
- Earlier reclaiming completion allowing stockpile access for stacking
- Reclaimer available for maintenance
- Lower risk of demurrage fees