Ore haulage refers to the transport of mined ore from the extraction point, whether a pit face, underground stope, or stockpile, to the processing plant, blending facility, or export point. Haulage methods are selected based on distance, terrain, tonnage requirements, and capital cost considerations. Large open-pit bauxite and iron ore operations typically rely on fleets of rigid or articulated haul trucks for shorter distances, transitioning to rail or overland conveyor systems for longer hauls to port facilities, given the enormous tonnages involved. Underground gold mines often use a combination of load-haul-dump vehicles within the mine and shaft hoisting or decline trucking to bring ore to surface. Diamond mining haulage must account for security considerations alongside efficiency, since high-value material in transit is a theft risk, leading to additional monitoring, sealed transport containers, and restricted-access haul roads in some operations. Slurry pipelines are occasionally used for haulage of fine, wet material such as processed bauxite residue or iron ore concentrate, offering a continuous, lower-cost alternative to truck or rail transport over suitable distances and terrain.
