--- title: Optimizing Efficiency in Underground Mining Operations description: One of the largest & deepest gold mines in the world faced severe material carryback on 22 underground conveyor belts. The problem was worsened by the use of ineffective competitor belt cleaners. image: https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/IMG-20241122-WA0235%20problem%20gold%20fields.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/optimizing-efficiency-in-underground-mining-operations#main-content) [![Martin Engineering](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/Martin%20Engineering%20Logos/martin-sig_white.png "Martin Engineering")](https://www.martin-eng.com/) ## Problem Solved Paper call 800.544.2947 # Optimizing Efficiency in Underground Mining Operations [Martin Engineering](https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/author/martin-engineering) June 13 2025 [Safety](https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/tag/safety) ### Problem ![IMG-20241122-WA0235 problem gold fields](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG-20241122-WA0235%20problem%20gold%20fields.jpg?width=400&height=243&name=IMG-20241122-WA0235%20problem%20gold%20fields.jpg)One of the largest and deepest gold mines in the world — extending 2,998 meters below the surface — faced severe material carryback issues on 22 underground conveyor belts of 1200mm wide belts running at speeds of 2 to 3.5 mtr/sec. The problem was worsened by the use of competitor belt cleaners, which proved ineffective due to the presence of clip joints on the belts. As a result, the mine experienced reduced productivity, increased equipment damage, maintenance costs, significant downtime, and potential safety hazards. ### Solution  ![DSCF1196_Luaan Breedt installed solution](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSCF1196_Luaan%20Breedt%20installed%20solution.jpeg?width=425&height=319&name=DSCF1196_Luaan%20Breedt%20installed%20solution.jpeg)Following a thorough conveyor belt audit, a comprehensive solution was recommended to address carryback and [material spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-spillage) challenges. The proposed setup included the installation of 12 [CleanScrape® Primary Cleaners](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product/144/cleanscrape-belt-cleaner)—safe for use on conveyor belts with clip joints—alongside 22 [Martin® Secondary Cleaners](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_subcategory/485/secondary-conveyor-belt-cleaners-products) for enhanced cleaning efficiency. To further protect the system, [Martin® V-Plows](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_subcategory/477/conveyor-system-tail-protection-products)were installed at the tail pulleys to prevent material buildup and potential belt damage. Additionally, proper belt support was ensured with 14 [Martin® High Speed Impact Cradles](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product/691/evo-high-speed-impact-cradle), and effective sealing was achieved using [Martin® ApronSeal™ skirting](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product/182/apronseal-single-skirting). ### Results ![IMG-20241122-WA0305 bias plough gold fields](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG-20241122-WA0305%20bias%20plough%20gold%20fields.jpg?width=400&height=200&name=IMG-20241122-WA0305%20bias%20plough%20gold%20fields.jpg)Implementing this comprehensive solution brought a remarkable transformation to the mine’s conveyor belt operations. Consequently, the mine experienced increased operational efficiency, substantially reduced maintenance interventions, improved safety conditions, and a notable drop in unplanned downtime, leading to greater productivity and cost savings. [![Read More On Material Carryback & Belt Cleaning](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5156573/interactive-191345995945.png)](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKwDGOLniKph5At9gpNvIHkyw5meBSvaIoEnQkbk33rLAnEyX%2Bvequqw%2BuWJ5nAbFhZ7Fkk5WDok36hB8RJopd8bFaj%2BAXpuoJTgz%2Fra1gq91F%2FV1xwHt6Urf9jBH7AeMQMsqfPaDpG8DPLg%2BWrbi3s2s%2BVFVvNIGdLDg3yIqjyDHwTGHtPwVJq887E%2BXvrz6x2%2BtbNjDLYG0T5PNWUOk2H4iHZfDKdp%2FVym6LgBevSuzeJlA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=191345995945&portalId=5156573) [![Martin Engineering](https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/Martin%20Engineering%20Logos/martin-sig-rgb_300px-wide.png "Martin Engineering")](https://www.martin-eng.com/) Martin Engineering is the world leader in making bulk materials handling cleaner, safer, and more productive since 1944. © 2025 Martin Engineering Company. All rights reserved. ###### SOLUTIONS [Belt Cleaners](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/463/conveyor-belt-cleaners) [Transfer Point Products](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/469/conveyor-transfer-point-solutions) [Air Cannons](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/465/bulk-material-flow-aids) [Vibration](https://www.martin-eng.com/content/product_category/468/industrial-vibration-solutions) ###### RESOURCES [Learning Center](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/learningcenter?hsLang=en) [Training](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en-us/training-options?hsLang=en) [Blog](https://blog.martin-eng.com/?hsLang=en) [Videos](https://www.youtube.com/@martinengineering) ###### CONTACT US 800.544.2947 [info@martin-eng.com](mailto:info@martin-eng.com) [martin-eng.com](https://www.martin-eng.com/)   ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Martin Engineering", "url" : "https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/author/martin-engineering" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-13T15:42:21.347Z", "datePublished" : "2025-06-13T15:42:21.000Z", "headline" : "Optimizing Efficiency in Underground Mining Operations", "image" : [ "https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/IMG-20241122-WA0235%20problem%20gold%20fields.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.martin-eng.com/problem-solved-papers/optimizing-efficiency-in-underground-mining-operations", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.martin-eng.com/hubfs/MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB-1.png" }, "name" : "Martin Engineering" } } ```