A landmark long-distance downhill conveyor system at Julong Copper Mine in Xizang has achieved stable continuous operation, setting a new global benchmark for high-altitude bulk material transportation technology. The project spans elevations from 4500m up to 5400m, one of the harshest mining environments on earth, with extreme cold, thin air and sharp temperature swings.
The whole transport system consists of three curved downhill belt conveyors, with a total route length of 6 km and a designed throughput of 11,000 tonnes per hour. The biggest highlight is its power generation function. As ore travels downhill, gravity potential energy is converted into electricity, feeding surplus power back to the mine grid. The system can generate up to 2500 MWh of clean power monthly, covering nearly 60% of the open-pit mining power consumption and greatly cutting the mine’s carbon footprint.
Engineers overcame multiple technical challenges including power attenuation at high altitude, precise braking control for long-distance curved downhill conveying, and low-temperature protection for mechanical components. The whole line relies heavily on heavy-duty idlers, pulleys, wear-resistant belts and safety monitoring accessories that must sustain constant heavy loads and extreme weather.
This project proves that long-distance downhill belt conveying can deliver both high transport capacity and energy-saving benefits. It offers a replicable complete solution for green mining at high-altitude mines worldwide. The success has drawn wide attention from mining operators in Southeast Asia, who are looking for reliable bulk material handling technologies for their own open-pit and underground mines.
