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Main Shaft Industrial Site Layout – Heijinggang Broadcast
PART.01
Types and Arrangement Forms of Main Shaft Hoisting Equipment
Bucketshoes Lifting System: Shaft Tower Configuration and Efficient Transportation
The skip hoisting system is the core equipment responsible for lifting ore in the main shaft, and its industrial layout centers around the shaft tower to create a vertical transportation system. Inside the shaft tower, critical components such as the hoist, guide wheels, and tensioning devices are integrated, enabling seamless connection between the skips and the track system within the shaft. This setup ensures continuous transport of ore from underground to the surface. A prime example is the new main shaft at Daye Nonferrous Copper Lüshan Mine, where the height of the shaft tower is precisely matched to the depth of the shaft itself. The system is complemented by an integrated ore storage bin and a vibrating discharging machine, forming an automated ore-loading process that guarantees both high efficiency and stable transportation. While this compact and space-efficient arrangement is ideal for sites with limited terrain or high-capacity mines, it does require significant investment in shaft tower infrastructure and involves a relatively lengthy construction period.
Cage Hoisting System: Derricking Structure with Ground-Level Layout
When a cage hoist is used in the main shaft, it is common to adopt a derrick structure paired with a floor-mounted hoisting machine. The derrick is equipped with upper and lower sheaves that support the cage's running track, while the hoisting machine is installed directly on the ground inside the machine room. Material lifting is achieved by connecting the cage to the hoisting machine via steel cables. A key advantage of this arrangement is its simple derrick design, which allows for quick construction and requires minimal initial investment—such as in one particular mine, where the main-shaft derrick could be completed simply by pouring the foundation and assembling the steel structure. However, this setup does occupy a relatively large footprint, and the open-air sheaves and steel cables are susceptible to weather conditions, necessitating additional protective measures. This configuration is ideally suited for small- to medium-sized mines or industrial sites with open, unobstructed terrain.
PART.02
The core components of the main shaft industrial site
Enhance the core equipment area
The hoist is the power heart of the main shaft industrial site, and its selection and layout are critical to site planning. In skip hoisting systems, large friction-type hoists—thanks to their robust power output and reliable operational performance—have become the preferred choice for high-capacity mines. For instance, the friction-type hoist at the new main shaft of Daye Nonferrous Copper Lüshan Mine precisely adjusts the steel wire rope direction via guide wheels, ensuring that the skips run smoothly and at high speeds within the shaft, thereby enabling efficient ore lifting. Meanwhile, cage hoisting systems typically rely on winding-type hoists, which, although requiring a larger footprint due to their floor-mounted design, offer greater convenience for equipment maintenance and inspection. During installation, it’s essential to meticulously control the hoist’s horizontal and vertical alignment to guarantee stable operation, preventing uneven stress on the steel ropes caused by equipment tilt—and thus avoiding potential safety hazards.
The well tower and derrick, serving as the load-bearing structures for lifting equipment, have stringent requirements in both structural design and construction techniques. Well towers typically feature either a reinforced concrete frame structure or a steel framework, which must be rigorously analyzed using specialized software to evaluate their wind and seismic resistance under various operational conditions, ensuring stability and reliability even in extreme weather scenarios. Meanwhile, derricks are predominantly constructed from steel. The horizontal alignment of the sheave platform directly affects the running trajectory and tension balance of the wire ropes; thus, precise high-precision measuring instruments must be employed during installation for accurate calibration. Additionally, regular inspections of sheave wear are essential—worn components exceeding allowable limits should be replaced promptly—to maintain the safe operation of the entire lifting system.
Mineral Processing and Storage Area
The ore storage bin is a critical facility for the temporary storage of ore at the main shaft industrial site. Its capacity must be carefully designed to account for factors such as mine production rates, transportation schedules, and downstream processing requirements. For instance, in a medium-sized mine with an average daily output of 1,000 tons and a daily transportation schedule spanning 6 hours, an ore storage bin with a capacity of 1,500 tons was designed to bridge the time gap between ore extraction and transport. Typically, the interior of the storage bin is equipped with either a vibrating discharging machine or a feeder, which allows operators to fine-tune the vibration frequency or feeding speed, ensuring uniform discharge of ore and preventing blockages or uneven material flow.
The ore-loading facility serves as the critical link between underground operations and surface transportation, and its selection and layout directly influence the efficiency of ore transfer. For skip hoisting systems, the fixed ore-loading funnel—designed to complement the skip—must be precisely tailored in terms of size and discharge angle, based on the skip’s capacity and lifting speed, to ensure that ore is loaded into the skips quickly and accurately. In contrast, cage hoisting systems typically employ either mine car tipping mechanisms or transfer belts, which dump the ore from mine cars onto conveyor belts, where it is then transported to storage bins or other processing stages. During the ore-loading process, care must be taken to prevent ore spillage, which could lead to resource wastage and environmental pollution. Such risks can be mitigated through measures like installing material-deflecting plates or deploying mist-based dust suppression systems.
Accessibility Panel
The machine room serves as the operational hub for the hoist and must be equipped with advanced temperature control and noise-reduction systems. The temperature control system can utilize air conditioning or ventilation-based cooling devices, ensuring the hoist operates within an optimal temperature range and preventing overheating-related equipment failures. Noise-reduction measures include installing soundproof doors and windows, as well as sound-absorbing materials, to minimize the noise generated during hoist operation, thereby providing operators with a comfortable and productive working environment. Additionally, the monitoring system installed in the duty room integrates features such as video surveillance, real-time equipment parameter monitoring, and automatic fault alerts, enabling operators to instantly track the hoist system's operational status and promptly address any abnormalities that may arise.
Ground transportation facilities serve as the channels for moving ore from industrial sites to external destinations, with common options including railways, conveyor belts, or road transport. Railway transport is ideal for handling large volumes of ore over long distances, requiring the installation of railway trestles and loading equipment at the outlet of ore storage silos to ensure smooth loading into train cars. Conveyor belt systems, on the other hand, offer continuous operation, high efficiency, and energy savings. Depending on site layout and transportation needs, conveyor belts can be designed in various lengths and widths, enabling rapid transfer of ore. Road transport provides greater flexibility, making it suitable for short-distance hauls or small-scale mines; however, it demands careful planning of transportation routes to avoid traffic conflicts with other vehicles. Additionally, lightning protection and grounding systems effectively safeguard electrical equipment within the site from lightning damage, while fire-fighting facilities serve as a critical safeguard against fire risks. Regular maintenance and inspections are essential to ensure these systems remain fully operational during emergencies.
PART.03
Design Principles and Optimization Directions for the Main Shaft Industrial Site
Functional Layout Principles
The layout of the main shaft industrial site must adhere to the fundamental principles of "continuous processes and clearly defined zones," which is essential for ensuring efficient mine operations. In practical arrangements, areas such as hoisting operations, ore processing, and transportation should be organized logically according to the sequence of processes, minimizing material back-and-forth movements as much as possible. For instance, in skip hoisting systems, the storage bin should be directly connected beneath the skip shaft tower, allowing ore to be swiftly transferred from the skip into the storage bin immediately after unloading—thus reducing intermediate handling steps and boosting overall transportation efficiency. Similarly, in cage hoisting systems, a dedicated siding for mine cars should be positioned adjacent to the cage shaft frame, facilitating quick loading and unloading of materials and shortening the distance required for ground-level transfers. At the same time, the site layout must rigorously comply with relevant safety regulations outlined in the "Safety Code for Metal and Non-Metallic Mines." For example, equipment spacing must ensure that operators have ample room to move freely, preventing operational errors caused by cramped conditions. Additionally, fire access routes must remain unobstructed, with widths and clear headroom meeting prescribed standards, enabling fire trucks to navigate smoothly in case of emergencies such as fires. Finally, the number, positioning, and evacuation distances of safety exits must also satisfy regulatory requirements, guaranteeing that personnel can evacuate swiftly and safely under emergency conditions.
Economic Efficiency and Adaptability in Balance
In the design of the main shaft industrial site, it is essential to strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and adaptability. While the ground-based shaft frame used for cage hoisting offers relatively low initial investment and a shorter construction period, alleviating some of the financial pressures during mine construction, its long-term operation is vulnerable to harsh climatic conditions—such as rainwater erosion and windblown sand abrasion—which can significantly increase maintenance costs. In contrast, the skip hoisting system with an enclosed shaft tower requires a higher upfront investment and a longer construction timeline. However, the tower's enclosed environment effectively safeguards equipment, extending its service life, minimizing climate-related operational disruptions, and reducing equipment failure rates. Over the long term, this approach ultimately lowers expenses associated with repairs and replacements. When designing, it’s crucial to comprehensively evaluate factors such as the mine’s expected service life, topographical conditions, and production capacity plans, ensuring the selection of the most cost-effective solution. For northern regions characterized by severe cold climates—where winter temperatures plummet and snowstorms are frequent—installing insulated shaft towers can provide robust protection for hoisting equipment, preventing malfunctions caused by extreme cold and ensuring uninterrupted production. Meanwhile, in the open, expansive mining areas of southern regions, where terrain conditions are ideal, adopting a ground-based shaft frame allows full utilization of the open landscape, cutting down construction costs while still meeting production demands efficiently.
Intelligent Upgrade Direction
With the rapid advancement of technology, modern main shaft industrial sites are steadily moving toward intelligent operations. Currently, smart monitoring technologies have been widely adopted in these sites—by installing sensors on critical equipment such as hoists, steel ropes, and cage systems, operators can now collect real-time data on hoist loads, steel rope tension, cage positions, and more. This data is then integrated into the mine’s IoT system, enabling remote control and adjustment of equipment operation status. In this way, operators in the monitoring room can conveniently access equipment performance information anytime, anywhere—whether via computer or mobile devices—allowing them to promptly identify and address any abnormalities. This not only enhances operational safety but also boosts reliability. Meanwhile, several advanced mines have already piloted unmanned duty stations, where AI algorithms analyze and process equipment operation data to predict potential failures in advance. By proactively implementing maintenance measures, these mines effectively prevent unexpected equipment breakdowns that could disrupt production.
The rational layout of the main shaft industrial site is the foundation for efficient mine operations, requiring a comprehensive design that integrates multiple dimensions, including equipment selection, functional zoning, and safety standards. Whether it’s the compact and efficient design of the skip hoist tower or the economical and practical approach of the cage shaft frame, all must be tailored to the specific conditions of the mine.
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