Discussion - Economic Comparison and Evaluation of an Overland conveyor Versus Alternate Transport Transportation Methods – Technical Papers, MINING ENGINEERING, Vol. 34, No. 4, Feb. 1982, pp. 176-181 – Benavides, F. M. and Schuster, R. M.

The article by Benavides and Schuster provides an in-depth study of this transportation alternatives for a four-mine complex in western Kentucky. The examination of aerial tramways was not undertaken as an alternative solution. We feel this is an oversight since industrial ropeways are competitive with both belt conveyance and overland truck hauling. In fact, there are aerial tramway system, operational today, which are 100 years old and operating with some original components. Maybe unfortunately, there are no fixed rules or guidelines whereby the most cost-effective means of transporting and handling material for a given situation may be selected. Each situation must be evaluated m the variables that influence the selection of the desired alternative can be clearly defined. However, there are in-place industrial ropeway system that have proven economically feasible over a range of 1.6-50 km (1-31 miles). The more difficult the terrain, the greater the cost efficiency.