Mine Operations

Standard Operating Procedures

Excavator Operation

1. Revision History:

Rev # Date Description Initiator

00 Original Procedure

Note: The most recent changes are shown in bolded italics

Responsibilities
Supervisors, trainers, equipment operators

Definitions:

Oversize – Material that is too large to simply load as part of normal production and would
require special handling to put it into a truck.

Zero Energy Parking – a method of parking a machine such that it requires the application of
energy to be able to move the machine from its resting place.

Truck Approach Area – the area near a loading tool where hauling units leave the regular travel
way and begin their approach to prepare to back under the bucket of the loading tool. This is
usually within 80 meters of the loading unit.

Swing Radius – The radius of the farthest point that a loading units bucket can possibly reach
when the boom, stick and bucket are fully extended.

Qualified – qualified means that you have been designated as SOLO by a Mine Trainer for the
operation of your machine, subject to any restrictions placed by the Trainer.

ROPS – (Roll Over Protective Structure), a machine cab engineered and constructed to protect the
operator in the event of a roll over. Requires use of seat belt.

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Procedure:

Excavator operators are required to learn and practice the following rules and guidelines:
1) At shift start the operator will confirm the machine has been properly parked using
zero energy parking procedures so that it will not move while he is doing the
prechecks.
2) Only Qualified operators can operate a machine by themselves. Trainees can only
operate a machine under the direction of a Mine Trainer or another qualified
operator designated by a Mine Trainer.
3) The operator will perform a complete pre-check of the machine and will report any
defects to the Supervisor, as well as recording the defects on the Operators Shift
Report. The pre-op check should be done the same way every time according to the
way you have been trained and should normally take between 5 to 7 minutes. The
horn is to be sounded 5 seconds before starting the engine.
4) Always use 3-point contact when mounting or dismounting the machine.
5) Always use the seat belt when operating the machine. Mining machines have ROPS
cabs but this safety feature is useless if the operator is not wearing a seat belt.
6) Always activate all lights on the machine when there is an operator in the seat. This
is to indicate that the machine is “live” and could move at any moment.
7) Make sure doors and windows are fully closed to allow the AC system to pressurize
the cab and keep out the dust.
8) At any time the excavator starts up, the operator will perform a full circle swing,
rotating to the cab side, to check the area for any hazards, equipment or people.
9) When the engine is first started do not throttle up. Let it idle for 2 minutes to allow
full lubrication to take place.
10) The operator is considered the Leader of the area encompassing the digging and
loading area, including the truck approaches. He is responsible to direct the trucks
regarding the approach to be used, clockwise or counter clockwise, whichever is
safest for the current loading situation.

11) After the pre-check is completed, the operator will immediately set the digging unit
in position for efficient loading of trucks.

12) When the trucks must approach on an elevated bench where there is a danger due to
a drop-off the excavator operator must check that the berms in the truck approach
area are of sufficient height and, if they are not, will inform the Supervisor that there
will be a delay and will use his first load(s) for berm material. He will instruct the

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dozer operator to build the berm, while directing the trucks to line up in a safe
manner away from the digging unit and with a good view of the loading area.

13) When in a situation where you must load trucks on the same level as the excavator is
sitting it is a requirement to call the Supervisor and conduct a JHA (Job Hazard
Analysis) in order to identify and mitigate all risks prior to beginning the loading
operation.
14) The operator also controls the activities of the dozer assigned to work with the
digging unit, advising him when to perform a clean-up and when to stay out of the
loading area. Dozer clean-up at the excavator is to be parallel to the face such that
excess material is delivered to the excavator and a clean area is presented to trucks
approaching and reversing for loading. The face where the dozer is working parallel
is to be no higher than 5 meters so as to protect the dozer operator from materials
that could fall from the face.
15) If there is no clean-up machine assigned then it is the responsibility of the excavator
operator to request a clean-up when one becomes necessary. If rocks that can
damage a tyre get in the way of a safe approach for the trucks then the excavator
operator is to stop the operation until the situation is corrected.
16) If any trucks have their back pointed toward the digging unit when the operator
decides to relocate his machine, he will instruct the truck to go around and queue
again so that he has a clear view of the digging area. The only time a truck may have
its back pointing toward the digger is when he is preparing to back under the bucket
for a load.
17) Always leave enough clear room in the swing radius to avoid contacting the walls,
face, or fill with the counterweight, ladder, house or any other part of the machine.
18) Do not side sweep material with the bucket. This puts undue strain on the entire
bucket, stick and boom assembly components.
19) Ensure that the excavator is stable on the material and not unbalanced so that it is
rocking back and forth. If necessary, move the tracks back and forth to settle the
machine, or reposition it.
20) Always check to ensure that the machine is not settling into the bench such that
rocks start to impact the bottom of the machine.
21) Remember to use the designated horn signals:
• 1 horn, wait 5 seconds, start engine.
• 2 horns, wait 5 seconds, move forward (or raise bucket).
• 3 horns, wait 5 seconds, reverse.
• 1 long horn (10 seconds) means danger – move away immediately.
Use only these horn signals. Do not use other horn signals as it can cause confusion
and result in an accident.

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22) When the operator is ready for loading trucks he will suspend the loaded bucket
where he wants the truck to spot its tray. This is a signal to the truck driver that he is
expected to back under the bucket immediately.
23) Avoid digging towards the rear of the undercarriage in order to minimize the risk of
damaging the travel motors. This should only take place in very limited
circumstances such as when pulling the tail at the end of a run.
24) Never undercut your bench/face. This creates a safety hazard whereby your machine
can tip over.
25) When loading with an excavator try to set your bench height to the same level as the
back of the truck tray. This is the safest and most efficient set-up for loading. The
back of your machine will clear the truck tray when you swing, you will still be able
to reach as far as you need to the bench floor, you will maximize the mechanical
advantage of your hoist and you will maximize your bucket fill factor.
26) Keep the floor clear of any rocks that may cause damage to truck tyres. The floor
must be kept level so that trucks can be positioned on level ground.
27) Do not allow your trucks to back over rocks or to back into the face where the tyres
will impact on protruding rocks.
28) Try to ensure that the bucket is full each time. Partial buckets are to be avoided.
29) Do not load oversize material. Oversize should be set aside to be dealt with later, not
in the production mode. If you encounter oversize material contact the Supervisor.
30) While climbing on and off a bench keep your bucket close to the ground to avoid
shock loading the machine is it passes its center of balance.
31) Whenever you leave the operators seat lower the bucket to the ground and disable
the hydraulic controls.
32) Learn and practice operating the excavator in a smooth manner. Smooth operating
reduces equipment wear and operator fatigue. When you learn to be smooth your
efficiency increases automatically.
33) A smooth floor allows for faster truck approaches to the digging unit as well as
faster exits from the loading area and reduces spillage. If your trucks are traveling
over rough or undulating floors ask your clean-up machine, a grader or a Supervisor
to see if they can fix the area.
34) Never allow any person or machine to approach into the swing radius of the
excavator when the bucket is off the ground. If anything comes into the swing radius
the operator will immediately place the bucket on the ground and cease operations
until the swing radius has been cleared of all potential hazards.
35) Before the clean-up machine enters the swing radius the excavator bucket will be
lowered to the ground. The excavator operator will then allow the clean-up machine
to complete the clean-up. Ensure that the clean-up machine has left the loading area
before resuming operations.

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36) The clean-up machine should clean the floor parallel to the face such that we have a
clean floor right to the toe of the face for the next cut. However, do not allow your
clean-up machine to work parallel under a face that is higher than 5 meters, which
would put the operator in danger of being hit by falling materials.
37) Be careful not to clip or hit the tracks with the bucket.
38) If the operator spots any potential hazards developing in the area such as a person or
vehicle getting onto the blind side of waiting trucks he will cease operation, warn
the drivers of the danger, and will put the bucket on the ground until the situation
has been rectified.
39) When waiting for trucks the operator should use this time to prepare any difficult
materials for loading. This would include digging tough areas and stockpiling the
material so that it can be loaded quickly when the truck arrives, as well as trimming
any walls or batters prior to the trucks arrival.
40) If the excavator develops mechanical problems and requires the fitters to repair the
machine then the operator, if possible, will relocate the digging unit to a safe area
for the fitters to work.
41) The operator is to put the best load possible onto the trucks in a manner which can
allow some of the material to be partially onto the truck canopy, while ensuring that
there is no spill rock likely to fall off the truck.
42) When digging ore follow the dip of the mineral to minimize loss or dilution and
advise your clean-up machine to push floor material in such a way as to not
contaminate or dilute the ore.
43) Load on the cab side of the digger only so as to minimize the risk of hitting the truck
and to make it easier for the trucks to spot under the bucket. Dig in one direction
only to allow the clean-up machine to keep the floor cleaned as we go so that when
the excavator moves to start a new cut there is no delay in the sequence due to
waiting for floor prep.
44) When parking up at shift end put the machine in a safe location for service
personnel. If possible, when on a double bench, leave the machine up on the bench
as long as it has been made safely accessible for service people and vehicles.
45) Always use Zero Energy Parking Procedures when parking up the machine.
46) Leave your cab clean at shift end.
47) Understand that these Procedures cannot cover every aspect of the operation of a
machine. Unanticipated events can occur at any time. Operators must develop sound
judgment and make good decisions at all times with safety always at the forefront.

Training Lead: ________________________________________

(Print) (Sign)

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Training Superintendent: ________________________________________

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Mine Senior Supervisor: ________________________________________

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Mine Superintendent: ________________________________________

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Mine Manager: ________________________________________

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Date:

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