Application of mechanized material transport in uranium mine

Mechanisms had to be developed for speeding up the transport of material to the underground while increasing work safety and hygiene, this in view of the continuously growing volume of uranium ore mining in the pit. Attention was concentrated mainly on problems of transporting long material through the pit to the mining face. Three types of mechanisms were developed: a suspended material cage which is used to transport material with a length of up to 4 m, a suspension element for the transport of long flanged tubes and a suspension element for the transport of rails. The previous method of material handling is characterized and the new method using the suspended cage is described in detail. The actual amount of material transported in one year is given as is the time needed for manual transport and for transport using the cage. Annual savings are calculated. The transport of tubes and rails using the two suspension elements is described and 14 photographs are published showing the developed mechanisms and their uses. (A.K.)