With the spike in the coal price many open cut coal mines are looking at an increase in the amount of dozer push as a strategy to increase the overall stripping cost and uncover more coal. The flexibility of bulk dozer push allows it to respond effectively to changes in the schedule.
Bulk dozer push can be applied in most situations where the coal dip is less than 20 degrees. Bulk dozer push costs are typically significantly lower than truck shovel and they are a low capital alternative than draglines. Dozer fleets can move more material per operator hour than all but the largest of excavator fleets. Bulk dozer push is less susceptible to wet weather stoppages than truck shovel fleets and can be used to sustain coal production through the wet season. Using a mining contractor with substantial industry experience can speed up the mobilisation process and help develop operational and planning expertise.
MEC has developed in house evaluation and simulation processes that allow multiple scenarios to be developed and evaluated using dozer factors that are calibrated with the actual site dozer performance. The MEC process works through a systematic planning process to model and define the optimal pit configuration for dozer productivity. MEC can also aid with survey control and/or guidance systems to improve design compliance, reduce rework and improve productivity. We also undertake dozer push training for engineers, supervisors and operators.