Lesson 1/Learning Event 4
Learning Event 4
IDENTIFY SITE SELECTION FACTORS
INTRODUCTION
You should develop a well-planned layout and design of your quarry crusher plant to maximize production. In
this Learning Event you will learn to select a site, plan the layout of the crusher complex, erect the plant, and
evaluate its operation. Some management aspects of maintenance and personnel training will be discussed as they
affect plant operation and production.
After the equipment has been selected for the facility, you must select a site for the installation. Special care
should be devoted to this task in that your rock processing facility is a rather permanent installation. You should
give thought to future operations and the amount of crushed rock that will be needed. These are basically the
same considerations you use to choose the quarry site itself.
SECURITY
The most important factor you should consider in selecting a site is security. Most rock crushing plants, because
of their location in wide open areas, present inviting targets for enemy harassment. Remember, these plants are in
operation 24 hours per day. If they are not employed in secure areas, personnel will have to be made available to
guard the installation.
DISTANCE FROM QUARRY
You should locate the rock crushing facility as close to the quarry as possible. The minimum distance will be
governed by the rock throw of the quarry blast. By locating the plant close to the quarry, maximum utilization of
haul units can be realized. This is important because the raw material brought to the crusher from the quarry
contains both product and by-product material, while the material hauled to the construction project from the
crushing plant is all product size material. If the crusher can be located sufficiently close to the quarry, dozers can
be used to push the quarry run rock to the plant. Consider the development plan of the quarry so as not to locate
the crushing plant in the path of future quarry faces.
TERRAIN
The terrain for the plant should be suitable in load carrying ability to support heavy equipment with only minor
earthworking improvements. It should be sloping to provide good natural drainage. Proper utilization of a
hillside or sloping location may allow you to use gravity as an aid in moving material from a rock face to the
crusher, from the crusher to a storage area, or from a storage area to the haul units. A hillside location also
simplifies drainage problems, particularly when washing operations are undertaken.
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