Abstract:
This project aims at analyzing and determining some engineering properties of limestone rock deposit for determining the selection of mining machinery and equipment, to estimate production capacity with optimum output on the reserved deposit of Dangote quarry Obajana, Nigeria.The type of rock geometric found at the Dangote quarry based on ArchMap software showed a domed shaped of Limestone deposit. The quarry had a deposit of about 3,968,400 km3 with 300m deposit depth over an area of 13228 km2 with an anticline unweathered rock of 5 m overburden thickness with a swelling factor of 0.204. The volume of the limestone deposit yielded a shelf life of 772 years and 6 months by reversed estimation technique.The unweathered rock properties when subjected to uniaxial compressive strength test gave a range of 27 MPa – 49 MPa for different locations. The point load strength index of samples from north, south, west and east of the quarry gave a range of 2.55 – 3.85. The densities of samples in (g/cm3) were almost consistent for different angles of the quarry. The moisture content which contributes to the swelling factor was found to be ranging from 2.63 – 3.62 %. The loss abrasiveness of samples from different points ranged from 27.54 – 34.93. This report is an investigation and it includes the selection of equipment for the drilling and blasting processes. The availability of high volume of limestone in this area validates the report on necessity for equipment selection. The application of different types of loader and trucks were investigated in determining the proper combination of fleet equipment that gives optimum
production capacity. The cycle time for the machines helped in determining the total output along hauling routes from loading point to the dumping area. Various equipment used at Obajana quarry was clearly stated with their capacities. According to report the downtime for loaders (i.e. interval of loading 2 different loaders) was minimal because the specific loaders employed for production had required bench heights which promote high productivity. The combination of this necessary machinery was used in the estimation of daily production. When effectively combined, the expected daily production was at the average of 50,000 tonnes. The equipment selected based on the yield strength for dumpers (wheel type), was Terex Rigid TR100 while the Kotmatsu excavator was selected because of its high diggerbility power and efficiency.
