Increasing dragline production through an improved operating and maintenance monitoring system at the Syncrude Oilsands Mine

Syncrude Canada Ltd. utilizes four large draglines to mine oilsand into windrows for later transfer to the Extraction Plant by bucketwheel reclaimer and conveyor. Averaging a total of 170,000 bank cubic metres per day, the draglines are each equipped with a production monitoring system to assist in maintaining a consistent production level. The existing systems were installed in late 1978/early 1979 and continue to be operational despite increasing problems. To meet current and future production levels it has become necessary to replace the existing production monitoring system to achieve greater reliability, increased data collection, improved operational control, and monitoring of maintenance functions. This paper will describe the history and operation of the existing monitoring system, the requirements and design of a replacement system, and potential future applications of the system at the Syncrude Mine.