Moranbah North in central Queensland continues to grapple with the dilemma of face conveyor drive power which does not correspond with AFC chain strength.
Attempts to bolster face conveyor drive power through the installation of a third 800kW drive motor — taking the total installed power on the face to 2400kW — temporarily solved the intermittent problem of not being able to start the face conveyor with 1600kW. However, persistent chain breakages forced it to go back to a 1600kW system.
ILN understands a move to 48mm conveyor chain, from 42mm, is likely.
BHP Coal went down a similar path at Crinum, switching to 48mm conveyor chain and boosting its conveyor drive motor power to 2400kW (three 800kW units).
