UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY, TARKWA

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

NAME: SARPONG ALBERT

DEPARTMENT: MINING ENGINEERING
FACULTY: MINING AND MINERALS TECHNOLOGY
TITLE OF PROGRAMME: BSc MINING ENGINEERING
DURATION: FULL TIME (4 YEARS)
SUBMISSION OF PROJECT: JUNE 2023

A. PROJECT TITLE

Analysing the Efficiency of Load-Haul-and-Dump Equipment in Chirano Gold Mines

Limited

B. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Underground mining operations rely heavily on Load-Haul-and-Dump (LHD) equipment

to transport and handle materials, such as ore and waste, within the mine. The efficient
utilisation of LHD equipment is critical in underground mining operations as it directly
impacts productivity, cost, and safety. Chirano Gold Mines Limited (CGML) is an
underground and open pit gold mine in the Western Region of Ghana, within the Bibiani
gold belt. One of the six underground mines it operates, is the Suraw underground. At the
Suraw underground, LHDs are used to load ore and waste material from the mining face.
The mine has been recording low output with the LHDs and this is affecting production.
From observation, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis and understanding of the
factors that affect the efficiency of the LHD. Management wants to explore the potential
areas of improvement to optimise the performance of the equipment. This project seeks to
conduct a systematic analysis of the available data on the LHD equipment at Suraw
underground to identify the factors that affect LHD equipment and the areas for
improvement, which can lead to enhanced productivity.

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C. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this project are to:

i. Analyse the utilisation and availability of LHD equipment at the Suraw
underground;
ii. Assess the key factors that affect the efficiency of LHD equipment; and
iii. Identify areas to improve the efficiency of LHD equipment and suggest potential
strategies to optimise their performance.

D. EXPECTED OUTCOMES

At the end of the project, it is expected that:

i. The utilisation and availability of LHD equipment at the Suraw underground will
be analysed;
ii. The factors affecting LHD equipment efficiency will be assessed; and
iii. The area of improvement and potential strategies to optimise LHD equipment
performance will be identified.

E. METHODS TO BE USED

The methods to be used include:

i. Review of relevant literature on LHD operations and its efficiency;
ii. Field visit and data collection on availability and utilisation of LHD equipment
from CGML; and
iii. Statistical analysis of acquired data.

F. FACILITIES TO BE USED

The facilities to be used include:

i. Internet facilities in the University of Mines and Technology;
ii. University of Mines and Technology Library; and
iii. University of Mines and Technology online database.

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G. SIGNATURES

………………………….. ………………………….
Sarpong Albert Mr Sylvester Yenzanya
(Student) (Supervisor)
Date: ……………………. Date: ……………….….

Recommended by:

………………………….
Assoc Prof George Agyei
(Head of Department)
Date: …………………..