Views: 55 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-12-10 Origin: Site
I. Project Background
Indonesia boasts the world's richest nickel reserves, accounting for over 20% of the global total, making it an indispensable raw material supplier in the global new energy industry chain. With the explosive growth of the electric vehicle industry, the demand for high-grade nickel has surged. The Indonesian government is actively promoting the localization of nickel ore processing and the upgrading of the industry chain. However, many mining areas still face challenges such as low transportation efficiency, harsh working environments, and high safety risks.
A large nickel mining company located in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, has an annual nickel ore mining and processing capacity of 3 million tons. Its mining area has complex terrain and frequent rainy seasons. Traditional truck transportation and manual loading and unloading methods are not only costly but also fail to meet the needs of continuous, large-scale production. To improve operational efficiency and safety, the company decided to introduce a modern mining conveying system.
II. Solution: Customized Mining Conveying System Deployment
The client collaborated with a Chinese mining equipment supplier with international engineering experience to design and implement a modular, intelligent conveying system suitable for tropical rainforest mining areas.
○ Heavy-duty belt conveyor system: Using high-strength steel cord conveyor belts with a tensile strength of ST2000, capable of carrying large chunks of ore, with a maximum conveying capacity of 1800 tons/hour.
○ Inclined lifting section design: Multiple inclined conveying sections (maximum inclination angle of 18°) were designed to accommodate the undulating terrain of the mining area, reducing transfer points.
○ Mobile transfer station: Enables flexible connection from the excavation point to the main conveyor line, adapting to the advancement of the mining face.
○ Rainproof and dustproof enclosed corridor: 4.2 kilometers in length, effectively reducing the impact of the rainy season on transportation and reducing dust pollution.
○ Intelligent monitoring system: Integrates PLC control, infrared temperature monitoring, belt deviation alarm, and remote diagnostic functions, enabling unattended operation.
2. Environmental Adaptability Optimization
○ Equipment structure uses hot-dip galvanizing + heavy-duty anti-corrosion coating to withstand high humidity and high salt spray environments. ○ The drive system is equipped with explosion-proof motors and hydraulic couplings, suitable for frequent starts and stops and heavy load impacts.
○ All electrical cabinets have an IP65 protection rating and are equipped with dehumidification devices.
III. Implementation Process
The project was launched in August 2024 and implemented in three phases:
1. Preliminary Survey and Design: Our team, in collaboration with local Indonesian geological and engineering companies, completed topographic surveying and load analysis.
2. Equipment Manufacturing and Transportation: The equipment was modularly prefabricated in a Chinese factory, shipped in batches to Makassar Port, and then transported to the mining area by heavy trucks.
3. On-site Installation and Commissioning: Over a period of 4 months, overcoming the difficulties of construction during the rainy season, we completed foundation construction, equipment assembly, and system commissioning.
In April 2025, the entire conveying system was officially put into operation, replacing the original 12 mining trucks and achieving fully enclosed, continuous transportation from the mining face to the processing plant.
IV. Results and Benefits
Since its operation six months ago, the system has achieved significant results:
● Transportation costs reduced by 42%: Compared to truck transportation, the cost per ton of ore transported decreased from US$18 to US$10.5.
● Operating efficiency increased by 50%: Achieving 24-hour continuous transportation, with an average daily transport volume of over 12,000 tons.
● Significant improvement in safety: Reduced heavy vehicle operations, resulting in a 95% decrease in work-related accidents.
● Outstanding environmental benefits: Enclosed transportation significantly reduces dust and noise pollution, meeting Indonesian environmental regulations.
● Reduced carbon emissions: Annual reduction of approximately 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, helping the company obtain ISO 14001 environmental management system certification.
V. Challenges and Solutions
● Impact of the rainy season: Drainage ditches and anti-slip treads were installed to ensure safe operation during rainy weather.
● Unstable power supply: Dual-circuit power supply and emergency diesel generators were configured to ensure continuous system operation.
● Insufficient local operation and maintenance capabilities: A 3-month technical training program was conducted to cultivate a local operation and maintenance team, and a remote technical support center was established. VI. Industry Insights and Future Outlook
This case study signifies that Indonesian mineral transportation is transforming from "extensive truck transportation" to "intelligent continuous conveying." Its success has attracted the attention of several nickel mining companies.
In the future, with the integration of electrification, autonomous driving, and digital twin technologies, mining transportation systems will further evolve towards "smart mines." For example, the second phase of the project plans to introduce AI predictive maintenance systems and solar-assisted power supply to create a green, low-carbon, and intelligent transportation demonstration mining area.
VII. Conclusion
The successful implementation of this mining transportation system not only enhances the company's core competitiveness but also provides a new paradigm for the efficient, safe, and sustainable development of Indonesian mineral resources. It demonstrates the immense potential of deeply integrating advanced equipment manufacturing with local needs and is a vivid example of the "Chinese technology + Indonesian resources" cooperation model, contributing an "Indonesian solution" to the intelligent transformation of the global mining industry.
