Loading at the AG pit was done mainly by two
Liebherr 9250 (EX 40 and EX 36) excavators in 5
m flitches and 10 m flitches depending on the type
of material being loaded. Two Liebherr 984
excavators were used to supplement production in
times of unscheduled breakdowns. EX 40 was
matched with six trucks whilst EX 36 was matched
with five trucks in a single back-up spotting
configuration.
For each operational day which consisted of two
shifts (9.5 hours day shift and 8.5 hours night
shift), Trucks are loaded by shovels and material
either hauled to crusher if it is ore or dumped at the
waste dump if material is waste. Trucks travel
empty back to their respective shovels in the pit
after dumping and the cycle continues. There is a
30 minute break and all trucks are parked at
assigned spots for convenience. The loading and
hauling process continues after the break and lasts
the entire duration of the shift. Trucks and
excavators are essentially refueled and maintained
after a mining shift in preparation for shift change –
over.