Table des matières
Aperçu du client
Aperçu du client
Étude de cas
Industrie Minière
How remote-controlled mini dozers eliminated manual conveyor cleaning and shutdowns
20,000
Additional tons of ore produced per month
1 hour
Cleaning time reduced from 4 hours to 1 hour
2 operators
Labor reduced from 4 workers to 2 operators
0
Conveyor cleaning performed without shutting down production
Aperçu du client
Customer
A Large-Scale Gold Mine in Northern British Columbia
Application
Cleaning under primary crusher discharge conveyors
Secteur
Mines
Équipements déployés
Movex MINIDOZER M48 and M27
This mining operation in northern British Columbia is a large-scale open-pit gold mine built to process tens of thousands of tonnes of ore per day.
Like many high-throughput mining operations, the site relies on a complex network of conveyors to move material continuously through the crushing and milling circuits.
Keeping these systems clean and operating reliably is essential to maintaining production targets and preventing premature wear on critical equipment such as belts and rollers. As part of its ongoing effort to improve safety, efficiency, and operational reliability, the maintenance team began exploring new ways to clean conveyors more effectively.
Témoignage
"
Les transporteurs Movex ont complètement changé notre façon de travailler dans les galeries profondes. Non seulement nos opérateurs sont beaucoup plus en sécurité, mais nous avons aussi réussi à réduire considérablement nos temps de cycle. Le retour sur investissement a été atteint en seulement 18 mois, bien avant nos prévisions.
Martin Bélanger
Directeur des opérations souterraines — Agnico Eagle, Mine LaRonde
The challenge: Manual conveyor cleaning that required production shutdowns
Before the introduction of Movex Innovation’s Mini Loaders, cleaning beneath the primary crusher discharge conveyor was a demanding manual task.
Each intervention required a complete shutdown of the conveyor, followed by a crew of four workers shoveling accumulated ore for approximately four hours. These conditions triggered several operational hassles.
Ore buildup beneath conveyors was significant, and the cleaning areas were tight and difficult to access. Conventional machinery could not reach these confined spaces, leaving manual labor as the only option.
Workers were exposed to dusty environments and had to work in close proximity to operating equipment. The physical demands of shoveling large volumes of material frequently led to fatigue, as well as strains and sprains.
Beyond the safety concerns, these cleaning operations directly impacted production. Because the conveyor handles roughly 4,200 tons of ore per hour, every shutdown meant a huge loss of throughput.
The site needed a safer and more efficient way to perform this essential maintenance without stopping production.
The solution: Remote-controlled mini loaders designed for confined spaces under conveyors
To address these constraints, the mine integrated Movex’s ultra-compact, electric M48 and M27 MINIDOZERs as dedicated tools for industrial cleaning beneath conveyors.
Their compact dimensions and low-profile design allow the machines to operate in spaces that were previously inaccessible to mechanized equipment. The M48’s adjustable clearance was particularly important, enabling it to work under active conveyor belts.
The new approach strips the job down to what actually works in the field:
- A remote operator controls the mini loader beneath the conveyor
- A skid steer assists with material removal
- Cleaning operations are completed in approximately one hour
Most importantly, the work can now be performed without shutting down the conveyor.
The machines are primarily deployed in the crushing area and operate mainly on concrete slabs or flat surfaces to ensure optimal durability. The site installed two charging stations: one inside the mill’s compressor room and another sheltered station near the crushing area.
Maintenance requirements are simple and handled internally by millwrights. Operators perform routine cleaning and greasing, while preventative maintenance is scheduled regularly. The maintenance team also highlighted the quality of Movex’s technical support and training, which helped the team quickly integrate the machines into their daily operations.
« Being able to clean under the conveyor while it keeps running is a huge advantage. It saves time, manpower, and production. »
— a maintenance supervisor at this mine
The results: More ore moving, less downtime, and fewer shovels on the ground
Bringing Movex mini loaders into the operation changed how conveyor cleaning gets done at this mining site.
Increased production
The primary crusher discharge conveyor processes approximately 4,200 tons of ore per hour. Previously, the monthly cleaning shutdown eliminated several hours of production.
By performing cleaning during active operations, the site now maintains roughly 20,000 additional tons of ore production every month.
Greater productivity
Cleaning that once required four workers and four hours of manual labor is now completed in one hour with:
- One mini loader operator: Handles spillage removal in confined or hard-to-reach areas where a skid steer cannot operate.
- One skid steer operator: Covers larger, open areas efficiently.
The ability to clean more frequently also prevents excessive material buildup, helping extend the lifespan of belts and rollers and improving equipment reliability between scheduled shutdowns.
Improved safety and working conditions
The new process keeps workers out from under the conveyors and away from dust, moving equipment, and the heavy physical work that used to come with hours of shoveling. Instead of working in confined spaces beneath the belt, operators now control the mini dozer remotely, removing much of the fatigue and injury risk that came with the manual method.
The change has also been well received by the crews. Running a remote-controlled machine is a far different job than spending hours clearing ore with a shovel, and operators clearly prefer the new approach. What used to be one of the most physically demanding maintenance tasks on site is now faster, safer, and far easier on the people doing the work.
Strong return on investment
With higher production, reduced labor requirements, and improved equipment reliability, the mini loader delivered a rapid return on investment for the site.
The maintenance supervisor has already shared his experience with other mining operations and says he would confidently recommend the equipment to peers across the industry.
En action
Voyez les transporteurs Movex à l’œuvre dans les galeries de la mine LaRonde. Cette vidéo illustre la manœuvrabilité de l’équipement et les conditions réelles d’utilisation en milieu souterrain.
Équipements déployés
Transporteurs tout-terrain
XT-70 Tout-terrain
XT-70 (SS, ST)
Transporteur électrique sur chenilles ultracompact, télécommandé, conçu pour circuler dans les galeries souterraines les plus étroites.
Hauteur
56 cm
Largeur
66 cm
Longueur
140 cm
Capacité
700 kg
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