Installation of conveyor belts and steel bridges at the Kolubara mining basin

Location: Lazarevac, Kolubara mining basin
Project type: installation of conveyor belts and steel bridges
Machinery used: Terex AC 120 and Liebherr LTM 1090-4.1
Structure weight: 40 to 52 t
Bridge spans: 25 to 33 m

Installing heavy steel bridges without stopping traffic

BMD Kran Trans took part in the production and installation of new conveyor belts for coal transport in the Kolubara mining basin near Lazarevac.

Besides installing long conveyor lines, one of the more demanding parts of the project was installing large steel bridges that carry the conveyor systems over the main roads inside the mining complex. This way traffic kept moving without the need to stop vehicles completely.

The bridges were 25 to 33 metres long and about 6 metres wide, weighing between 40 and 52 tonnes. Because of the size and weight of the structures, lifting and precise positioning required careful planning and the right lifting equipment.

Two mobile cranes for lifting and positioning structures

Two mobile cranes, a Terex AC 120 and a Liebherr LTM 1090-4.1 with a capacity of up to 90 tonnes, were used for the initial lift of the bridges from the special transport trailer. Working the two cranes together allowed a controlled lift and handover of the structure, after which the Terex AC 120 was used for the final, precise positioning of the bridges on their supports.

In operations like this it is not enough to provide a crane with the right capacity. The position of the cranes, the radius, the way the load is attached, the lifting sequence and the final positioning of the structure all have to be coordinated. Special attention was paid to working right next to live traffic routes.

Result

The conveyor bridges were installed successfully and on schedule. The large structures, weighing up to 52 tonnes, were placed in position using two mobile cranes for the initial lift and handling, followed by precise final positioning. For us, projects like this are an example of work where crane capacity, operator experience and organisation on site are equally important.