TALPAC 8 TUTORIALS

Workshops
Imperial

TALPAC 8 TUTORIAL

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND TO WORKED EXAMPLE ...............................................................................................3
1. TALPAC OVERVIEW..........................................................................................................................4
2. THE MATERIAL TYPE.....................................................................................................................11
3. THE SHIFT ROSTER........................................................................................................................13
4. SELECTING A LOADER ..................................................................................................................15
5. SELECTING A TRUCK ....................................................................................................................18
6. SETTING-UP A HAUL CYCLE ........................................................................................................22
7. PRODUCTION ANALYSIS ...............................................................................................................25
8. INCREMENTAL ANALYSIS AND RESULTS TABLES.....................................................................26
9. FLEET SIZE OPTIMISATION..........................................................................................................31
10.FLEET COMPARISON.....................................................................................................................33
11.THE EQUIPMENT DATABASE .......................................................................................................35
12.IMPORTING A HAUL CYCLE .........................................................................................................37
13.TALPAC OPTIONS...........................................................................................................................39
ANSWERS ......................................................................................................................................................41
TALPAC COMMANDS ................................................................................................................................49

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TALPAC 8 TUTORIAL

Introduction
This tutorial has been written so that users learn how to use TALPAC. The intention is
that by following the series of workshops set out in this booklet, you will be able to use
TALPAC, and have an appreciation as to the functionality of the program.
Each of the workshops sets out a number of key TALPAC concepts, what actually needs
to be completed for each workshop and what the results should be at various points. As
well, there are questions that should be answered for each workshop. Some of these
questions are qualitative, so no numerical answer has been provided. The phrases listed as
concepts in each workshop can all be found in the on-line help.
In the answers chapter of this booklet there are some answers to specific questions, and
screen captures at certain points of the process which will enable you to check your
progress. Often these screen captures contain the numeric answer.
This tutorial does not cover every feature of TALPAC. However upon completion of this
tutorial the user will have the skills required to successfully use TALPAC, and to self-learn
the TALPAC facilities not covered here.
Firstly it is recommended that you read through an entire workshop before starting it.
TALPAC may be used to analyse the performance of existing fleets of equipment or to
investigate the application of new equipment fleets in earthmoving and mining operations.
In either case, the performance of a single fleet may be examined, or a comparison made of
two or more different fleets. Typical TALPAC applications are listed below.

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Calculation of truck travel time to allow a comparative analysis of haul route

alternatives.

Estimation of fleet productivities for use in long and short term planning studies.

Estimation and comparison of productivities using various loading

methodologies to determine the optimum loading technique or loading unit bucket
size.

Sensitivity analysis in road design criteria to assess the relative importance of road
maintenance.

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Calculation of tyre TKPH or TMPH ratings for use in tyre selection.

Estimation of fuel usage.

Determination (using discounted cash flow methods) of haulage contract costs and
pricing.

Truck fleet size optimisation to quantify the effect of over and under trucking.

Incremental analyses, in which simulations can be automatically run for a range

of haulage segment lengths and the results used to generate productivity curves.

Equipment loading analysis to optimise loader bucket size, truck capacity and
number of passes.

Collation of results from calculations to examine the relationship between

variables in the calculation, eg. haul distance versus productivity, haul distance
versus truck fleet size.

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Background To Worked
Example
A contractor has been invited to submit a tender for the removal of waste from an opencut mine, at 3 million BCY per year. The contractor utilises the following equipment:

Caterpillar 992G Front End Loaders (15.1 cu.yards payload); and

Komatsu HD785-5 Rear Dump Trucks (109 US ton payload).

In bidding for the waste removal contract, the contractor must determine how many trucks
and loaders are required to meet the production target and the cost of production. The
contractor is also unsure whether to continue with the same equipment or upgrade to
larger equipment.
In the workshops of this tutorial we will configure the required TALPAC components so
that this analysis can be undertaken.

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1.

TALPAC OVERVIEW

Key Concepts: Project, Haulage System, Template

Technical Description
This workshop is to generally discuss how TALPAC works and what the key areas of data input and
out put are.
The figure below shows how a Haulage System is made up of the unique combination of nominated
templates. The templates are where the data is held for the Material, Roster, Loader, Truck and Haul
Cycle. So, if you change data in one of the templates, then really you are simulating a different haulage
system. In this way many Haul Systems can be stored in the one project.

MATERIAL
TYPES

SHIFT
ROSTERS

HAULAGE
SYSTEMS

LOADER
TEMPLATES

TRUCK
TEMPLATES

HAUL
CYCLES

TALPAC Data Structure

To set up a haulage system for the waste contract project, you will need to create a new haulage system,
in a new TALPAC project. Initially we need to learn how to work with the templates. In later
workshops we will begin entering data into these templates.

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Tasks
Start up TALPAC. Do this via Start|Programs|Runge Software|TALPAC8 or by double
clicking on the TALPAC icon on your desktop.
In the opening dialogue click on the Create a New Project radio button and then click on the
OK button.

In the Create a New Project screen choose to Create An Empty Project and OK.

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In the file name box type: Waste Haulage Tutorial and open the file in your working directory. Click
on Yes when asked to create a new project.

The Set Print Titles dialogue box will then be opened. It is important to enter report titles for
your TALPAC project. These titles are entered from the File|Set Print Header, and will appear
on all TALPAC output. Normally you would enter appropriate project titles, in this instance
please enter the following:

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In this way you will be able to see what titles are user definable in TALPAC, and which titles are
fixed format.
Identify the five components of the haulage system. In the following workshops you will learn
how to set up each of these components to represent a haulage situation.
Open the AllParameters sheet and it will show:
Technical, Stochastic and Costing information for the loader and truck;
Roster and Material information;
Cash flow options; and
Loading options and Bucket construction options.

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Open the Loading Analysis sheet and you will get information on material, truck and loader.

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From the Data Entry screen the material, roster, loader and truck templates may be edited. First
click with the left mouse on one of the list boxes to get a selection list.
To edit one of the templates, using the right mouse button, after editing you can either click on
OK to save or Cancel to return to the Data Entry screen.
Note: Make sure you understand the difference between adding a new template to a list, and
editing an existing template.
Click on the Edit Haul Cycle button to open the Haul Cycle window. First, left mouse click on
the Haul Cycle button to get a selection list of haul cycles in this project. Then click on any
segment of the haul cycle and use either the cursor keys or the mouse to move around the haul
cycle. Then right click and you can add, edit or delete segments from the haul cycle. Note the
automatic segments. Close the Haul Cycle window.
Click in the Haulage System drop down box so that Haulage System-1 is highlighted. Right click
with the mouse on the highlighted name and choose Edit. Rename the haulage system to Basic

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Waste Contract. Now click on the lower portion of the screen so that the haulage system name is
no longer highlighted, and then press the Save button on the toolbar.

Questions
1. What is in a TP7 file?
2. What are the 5 components of a haulage system?
3. What is a TALPAC project?
4. Why would you want to print out the ALL PARAMETERS sheet?
5. What are the options available on the right click of the mouse when a template name is highlighted?
6. What types of Haul Segments can be used?
7. What is the difference between adding to a template list, and editing a template?

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2.

THE MATERIAL TYPE

Key Concepts: Density, Swell, Fill Factor, Production Measurement

Technical Description
In this workshop, the characteristics of the material being hauled by the contractor will be entered into
a template. The characteristics of the waste are described below.
The productivity results are to be reported by volume rather than weight. Since we are working in
metric units, this will mean that productivities are expressed as bcy/op.hour, bcy/shift and bcy/year.
The insitu bank density is the density of the material while it is in the ground. This parameter is used to
convert an insitu bank volume to its equivalent weight, and vice versa.
The material swell factors are used to convert bank volumes to loose volumes in the loader bucket and
the truck tray. Note that both swell factors are based on insitu volume.
The loader bucket fill factor is dependent on both the material type and the class of loader. It is the
ratio of the loose volume of the material in the loader bucket to the volumetric rated capacity of the
loader bucket. The volumetric rated capacity of the loader bucket may be expressed on either a struck
or heaped basis.
Similarly, the loader bucket fill factor may be expressed on a struck or a heaped basis. The fill factor is
selected from a scale in the material template.

Tasks
Create a new material template for the waste that the contractor is to haul. Click in the Material
Template drop down box and then either right mouse click and choose Add off the menu or click
on the Add button on the toolbar. Call the new template Tutorial Waste.
The waste has an insitu bank density of 1.85 US.tons/bcy.
The swell factors for the waste the contractor is to move are as follows:
Swell Factor - Bank to Loader Bucket
Swell Factor - Bank to Truck Tray

1.20
1.25

For the contractor's loader mining waste, set the loader bucket fill factor to average. This should
equate to a factor of 0.72 on a heaped basis (0.88 on a struck basis) for a Front End Loader.

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Questions
1. What is the Loose Density in the loader bucket?
2. How would you use your own site specific fill factors?
3. What else will affect the filling of the bucket

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3.

THE SHIFT ROSTER

Key Concepts: Roster, Delay, Scheduled, Unscheduled, Operating, Non-Operating

Technical Description
Working and operating hours for the loader and trucks are defined in the shift roster. The weekly shift
pattern is specified, and then lost shifts per year and delays within each shift are allocated. These lost
shifts and delays are divided into the following categories.

Scheduled lost shifts;

Unscheduled lost shifts;
Non-operating shift delays; and
Operating shift delays;

The choice of category for a delay depends on mine site work practices. By definition, scheduled delays
are those that may be fixed in time, eg. the public holiday on 25th December. Unscheduled delays are
delays that you expect, but don't know exactly when they will occur, for example clean-up around the
loader area and delays due to wet weather. Operating delays are those delays when the equipment's
engine is running. Conversely, non-operating delays are those delays when the equipment's engine is
not running.

Tasks
Set-up a roster template for the shift roster described below. Call it Tutorial Roster.
The contractor operates on two shifts per day, from Monday to Friday. In addition, there is one
over-time shift on Saturdays.
The only rostered days of the year that are not worked are Christmas Day and Good Friday.

The contractor annually allows for ten shifts lost due to industrial action and ten shifts lost as a
result of wet weather.

Each shift is ten hours long. The following delays occur within each shift:
Crib (meal) break
Delays either side of crib
Delay at start of shift
Delay at end of shift
Delays for blasting
Clean-up around loader

30 minutes
2 x 5 minutes
5 minutes
5 minutes
5 minutes
15 minutes

operating
operating
non-operating
operating
non-operating
operating

Refuelling is carried out outside normal production hours.

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Questions
1. What are the total annual working hours for the loader?
2. What are the total fleet operating shifts for the year?

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4.

SELECTING A LOADER

Key Concepts: Loader database, Distribution, Loader methodology

Technical Description
The contractor wants to use Caterpillar 992G front end loaders. The characteristics of the loader have
been determined from historical data. We need to use this data to correctly define how the loader is to
be simulated.

Tasks
Right click on the list of loaders and choose Add. You will now be looking at the loaders section
of the equipment database.
Choose Caterpillar from the Manufacturer drop down list. Scroll down through the list of loaders
until you find the 992G. Click on the Select button.

You will now be back in the loader template. Call this template Contract Cat 992G.
The contractor's 992 loaders have an expected mechanical availability of 90% and each loader pass
takes 35 seconds. Change the loader pass time in seconds and the minutes will calculate
automatically and vice versa.

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Click on the Bucket Selection button. The buckets available for the 992 are shown in the drop
down list. Examine all the options available, click on the Auto Select button and see what effect
it has. When you have finished click on the Restore Defaults button and then click on OK.

Click on the Costing Data tab. The capital cost to the contractor of a 992G loader is $1,200,000.
The contractor bases its cash flow on a 10% salvage value at the end of the loader life of 25,000
hours or 5 years (whichever occurs first).
The loaders are depreciated at a rate of 15% on a straight line basis.
The operating cost consists of the following components:
Operating Labour
Maintenance Labour
Lube
Tyre Replacement
Wear Items
Repair Parts

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$54.76/op.hr
$19.52/op.hr
$3.79/op.hr
$11.01/op.hr
$6.00/op.hr
$45.00/op.hr

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Major Overhaul
Liquid Fuels

$18.00/op.hr
$25.26/op.hr

Click on the Distribution Data tab, examine the options available but do not change anything.
Click on OK when you are finished.

Questions
1. What is the total operating cost per hour?
2. Why can the template name be different to the database equipment name?
3. What does the default bucket payload represent?

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5.

SELECTING A TRUCK

Key Concepts: Truck database, Local Characteristics

Technical Description
Characteristics of the haul trucks in the fleet are stored in the truck template, which is structured in a
similar way to the loader template. Our example contractor uses Komatsu HD785-5 rear dump trucks.
The characteristics of the trucks are described below.

Tasks
Right click on the list of Truck Type 1 and choose Add. You will now be looking at the trucks
section of the equipment database.
Choose Komatsu from the Manufacturer drop down list. Scroll down through the list of trucks
until you find the HD785-5. Click on the Select button.

You will now be back at the truck template. Call this template Contract 785-5.
The contractor's trucks are equipped with standard motors and are designed to carry the
manufacturer's rated payload. The Komatsu HD785-5 trucks have an availability of 85%.

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Operational studies show a spot time at the loader is 24 seconds, dump spot time is 20 seconds
and a dump time of 30 seconds.
Note: changing the seconds will mean the minutes are updated automatically and vice versa.

Click on the Costing Data tab. The truck capital cost is $850,000. A 10% salvage value at the
end of the truck life of 30,000 hours or 6 years is assumed. The trucks depreciate at 25% on a
straight-line basis.
The operating cost consists of the following components:
Operating Labour
Maintenance Labour
Lube
Tyre Replacement
Wear Items

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$46.37/op.hr
$18.24/op.hr
$2.59/op.hr
$10.91/op.hr
$4.30/op.hr

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Repair Parts
Major Overhaul
Liquid Fuels

$24.08/op.hr
$10.75/op.hr
$17.24/op.hr

Click on the Distribution Data tab, examine the options available but do not change anything.
Click on OK when you are finished.
Set the number of trucks to Auto, so that TALPAC estimates the number of trucks required to
keep the loader busy as follows:
Estimated
Truck Cycle Time for Nominal Payload
=
Fleet Size
Truck Spot Time
Nominal Truck

+
at Loader
Loading Time

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Questions
1. What is the total operating cost per hour for the truck?
2. When would you use the different truck types in the same simulation?

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6.

SETTING-UP A HAUL CYCLE

Key Concepts: Segment, Rolling Resistance, Speed Restrictions, Forward and Reverse
Segments

Technical Description
To perform a simulation, TALPAC needs data regarding the haul route. This workshop describes how
this data can be converted into to a format required.
The loading segments are automatically included at the start of each new haul cycle.

Task
Click on the Edit Haul Cycle button to open the Haul Cycle window.
The drawing at the end of the workshop shows a typical haul profile on which the waste contract
is based. Conditions to be expected in the mine are listed below:
within 150 feet of the shovel and dump point, the truck speed is restricted to 15 mph;
around corners, trucks should not exceed 15 mph; and
when travelling down ramps, trucks must not exceed 25 mph.
Change the name of Haul Cycle 1 to Base Haul Route.
Add a new haul segment by clicking row 4 of the haul cycle and then either click on the Add
button on the toolbar or by using the right mouse menu.
Call the new haul segment Around Loader, the distance will be 150 feet, the maximum speed is 15
mph and all of the other factors will use the default values.
The haul profile should be divided into the appropriate number of segments. The segments may
be of any length, but should have a constant grade, rolling resistance and load. Don't forget to
include loading, dumping and fixed time segments in the haul cycle and take into account the
speed restrictions.
Rolling resistance is expressed as a percentage of the component of the gross vehicle weight that is
normal to the ground surface. For guidance on rolling resistance values to use, access the table
from the rolling resistance column, right mouse click on one of the cells in the Rolling Resistance
column and choose Select. We will be using the average conditions for this tutorial, so click in the
average column of the row in the table that best describes the current haul segment.

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When you have added all of the haul segments needed, add the dumping segments.
As the haul route for the return journey is the same it is possible to use the Reverse all segments
option. Reverse all of the segments.

Questions
1. When is a new segment required?
2. How many segments are required?
3. What other methods are available for constructing a haul route in TALPAC?
4. What is the benefit of using real names for segment titles?
5. What is the relationship between final and maximum speeds for segments?

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650ft Corner

ft @
10%
1400

Pit Floor
= 860 RL

Top of Benc h
= 930 RL

1000ft @0%

Top of Pit Ramp

= 1000 RL

350ft
Corner

650ft @10%

Base of Dump Ramp

= 1000 RL

150ft
15
0f
t

0ft
15

Haul Route

Dump
= 1065 RL

Haul Cycle

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7.

PRODUCTION ANALYSIS

Key Concepts: Calculation Type, Full Simulation, Stochastic, Excavation Target

Technical Description
Once the haulage system has been defined it is ready to be analysed. In assessing the productive
capacity of the system you have the choice of using the quick estimate or the full simulation. The other
types of calculations will be discussed later. Quick estimate assumes there is no variability in the truck
and loader parameters, and a deterministic analysis is performed.
Full simulation takes the variability of truck and loader parameters into account using a stochastic
analysis. Parameters that may be varied in the full simulation include loader bucket cycle time, loader
bucket payload, truck travel time, truck dumping time and truck availability.
The Excavation Target feature allows the user to specify a production target. When an excavation
target is specified the Production Summary Report lists how many days/years that it would take to
move the specified excavation target. The value for the target is independent on the measurement basis
chosen in the material template.

Tasks
Clicking on the Type of Calculation list box may access Quick Estimate. Select Quick Estimate
and either press the <F10> key or click on the Calculate button.
Similarly, selecting Full Simulation from the Type of Calculation list box and by using the <F10>
key or to click on the Calculate Results button to access Full Simulation.
View the simulation results for each option and compare the differences.
View the haul cycle details, the tyres and fuel consumption, and the cash flow screens. View the
defined travel time graphs to identify the key segments of the haul cycle.
Enter a production target of 3,000,000 bcy, run a Full Simulation and then view the results at the
bottom of the Production Summary Report.

Questions
1. Why is it useful to have different calculation types?
2. What is the vertical height difference that the load is being elevated through?
3. Why can you get different results for successive runs?
4. How long does it take to reach the production target?

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8.

INCREMENTAL ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

TABLES

Key Concepts: Incremental Analysis, Results Table

Technical Description
The haul profile used so far is representative of haul routes at the mid-life of the waste contract. In the
early years the pit is shallower and in the later years it is deeper. The change in RL and the length of
the ramp out of the pit vary as follows:
Year

Length of Pit Ramp

700 feet

1,050 feet

1,400 feet

1,750 feet

2,100 feet

The distance and elevation from the surface to the top of the waste dump do not change. In planning
we need to understand how the productivity requirements change for the life of the contract.
Also we are interested in seeing the results tabulated in a different format to the standard results.

Tasks
Based on this information, determine the productivity of the fleet for each year of the contract.
Choose the Incremental Analysis button.
In the Incremental Analysis window choose the Add button.

In the Incremental Item Selection window choose Haul Segment Distance from the Item dropdown
list. Choose Pit Ramp segment from the 4: Forward Segment dropdown list. Choose 15: Pit Ramp
(rev.) from the Reverse Segment dropdown list.

Set the First Value to 700 feet, the Last Value to 2,100 feet and the Step Value to 350 feet. Click on
OK.

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If the Incremental Analysis window looks like this, then click on Calculate.

Examine the information displayed in the Results Table.

Note: That the column headed Row 7: Distance: TT1 represents the distance for row 7 from the
haul cycle or the Pit Ramp length

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Try creating your own report by clicking on the Report button and then choosing fields from the
left-hand pane.

Produce a graph of the ramp length versus the fleet productivity. Highlight the rows in the
Results Table relating to the current run and then chose the Graph menu option.
From the X dropdown list choose Row 7: Distance: TT1 and choose Fleet Production Per Operating Hr
from the Y dropdown list.

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Try choosing Fleet Production Per Operating Hr from the Z dropdown list. What happens if you tick
the Group by checkbox?
Right mouse click on the graph and choose Chart Designer from the menu.

Try changing the chart type to a bar graph. Examine the options available and see what effect it
has on your graph.

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Questions
1. What is the key information?
2. How many variables are available for inclusion in the results table?
3. When should you consider purchasing another truck?

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9.

FLEET SIZE OPTIMISATION

Key TALPAC Concepts: Optimisation Analysis, Marginal Economics

Technical Description
The optimum number of trucks in a fleet is a balance between productivity and cost. The fleet size
optimisation carries out a series of production analyses for a range of truck fleet sizes. The results are
summarised in a table displaying the fleet size, the fleet production and the discounted average cost.
The results can also be displayed on a graph. The optimum fleet size is that with the lowest unit cost of
production. The optimum fleet size will not necessarily have the highest production or provide the
required output.

Tasks
Create a copy of the Base Waste Contract haulage, hit the <F2> key and rename it Workshop 10 Fleet
Size.
Make a copy of the base haul cycle, and call it Workshop 10 Haul.
In Workshop 10 Haul, change the pit ramp distance to 6,000 ft. Remember to change both the
forward and reverse segments of the pit ramp.
Configure the rest of this haul system to have the same loader, truck, material and roster
templates. Make sure you save this haul system after you have selected the appropriate items.
Do a Full Simulation and note the number of trucks.
Now determine the optimum number of trucks for the contractor's fleet. Choose the
Optimisation button.
Choose the Fleet Size radio button and then click on OK.

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Plot a graph of the Fleet size versus the marginal cost.

Compare the optimum with the truck match determined in the full simulation in the previously in
this workshop.
Export the Results Table by going to File|Export, click on the brows button and choose a
name and location for the file. Make sure the Excel 5File (.XLS) radio button is chosen and then
click on OK. Open up your results file in Excel and examine the data.

Questions
1. What is the marginal cost of assigning one more truck than the optimum?
2. Why are the marginal economics important, and not just the average cost?
3. What is the optimum fleet size?

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10. FLEET COMPARISON

Key Concepts: Haulage Systems

Technical Description
The contractor wishes to investigate the cost benefits of moving to larger equipment for the waste
removal contract. A new haulage system is going to be configured for the larger equipment. New
truck and loader templates will be created.

Tasks
Add a new Haulage System, called Workshop 11 Comparison. This will have the Tutorial roster, the
tutorial waste, and the Base Haul Route from the Basic Waste Contract haulage system.
Create a new template for both the truck and loader, the details of the larger equipment items in
which the contractor is interested are as follows:
Item
Name
Type
Capacity
Availability
Capital
Salvage Value
Life in Years
Life in Hours
Depreciation type
Depreciation Rate
Total Operating Cost

Shovel
Demag H 285 S
Hydraulic Shovel
21 cu.y heaped
90%
$2,000,000
10%
8
35000
Straight line
15%
$222.73

Truck
Dresser 510E
Rear Dump Trucks
150 US ton payload
85%
$1,300,000
10%
8
35000
Straight line
25%
$163.50

With this equipment each loader pass takes 30 seconds. Also for the trucks the spot time at the
loader is 30 seconds. The spot time at dump is 30 seconds and the dump time is 30 seconds.
Use the Total Operating Cost checkbox to enter the operating cost

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Compare the discounted average cost for the equipment fleet above with the equipment fleet used
in the workshop 10. In determining the discounted average cost, use the optimum truck fleet size
for each option.

Questions
1.

Which equipment fleet would you recommend the contractor purchase?

2.

What factors affect this decision?

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11. THE EQUIPMENT DATABASE

Key Concepts: User Defined Equipment

Technical Description
The equipment database contains a large range of trucks and loaders used in surface mining operations.
The data supplied in the equipment database represents standard equipment and has been verified by
the appropriate manufacturer. For equipment that is not in the database or that has been modified, the
user is able to set-up their own equipment items.

Tasks
Access the equipment database from either View|Equipment Database or the Equipment
Database button on the toolbar.
Use the Type, Manufacturer and Class drop down list to view a truck and a loader to see the
data that is stored in the database for each equipment type.

Create a user defined equipment item by copying a standard item of equipment to a new name. To
copy an item from the standard database to a user database go to Edit|Copy Equipment.
Rename your copy of the Komatsu HD785-5 to My Mines 785-5.

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Question
1.

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What role would User Defined equipment have at your operation?

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12. IMPORTING A HAUL CYCLE

Key Concepts: Importing a Haul Cycle From a Text File

Technical Description
In a previous workshop we have created a haul cycle by manually typing in the required details for each
segment. In TALPAC you can also import this data directly from a text file. In turn this text file can
be automatically generated in another system, such as a design package or a fleet monitoring / dispatch
system.
The text file import facility in TALPAC can be quite sophisticated, and in this workshop only a small
portion of the functionality will be used. For more advanced requirements please refer to the help
documentation, or contact Runge.

Tasks
In the Talpac8\Tutorials directory there is a flat text file called Test XYZ Space.txt. Open this
file with a text editor and inspect the layout. This file represents the co-ordinates of a haul route.
Close the file after inspection.
In TALPAC add a new Haul System called Workshop 13 Import.
Go to File|Import Haul Cycles From a Text File.
Click on the Add button and create a new template called Tutorial.
Click on the Browse button and find the file Test XYZ Space.txt.
Leave the First Import Line as 1, and also leave the Comment Character as ! Now click twice
on the Next Line button, so that line 3 of the file is shown in the viewer.
Set the Import Data Type radio button to X,Y,Z co-ordinates.
Enter appropriate field numbers for the entities. This is:

X coord

Y coord

Z coord

4.

All other fields should have a 0 value. This means that you will be accepting the defaults shown
for those fields.

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When complete, check the Reverse all segments setting load to Empty tick box , and then
click on OK.

Inspect the results in TALPAC. Check that two haul cycles Baso1 and Baso2 have been imported.

Questions
1. Why is the new haul cycle called Baso1?
2. How can this feature be used in your situation?
3. How else can the import facility be used?

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13. TALPAC OPTIONS

Key Concepts: Project Options, Customising TALPAC, Project Management, Feedback,
Project Properties

Technical Description
There are many variables and Options used in TALPAC that are not contained within any of the
templates that we have looked at so far. As well there are a number of ways of customising TALPAC
and other features of which you should be aware.

Tasks
Go to File|Project Properties. View the information available, click on the View Templates
List and Select a User Database buttons and examine the options available.

Using the Help pull down menu, select Feedback. If you click on the Email button an email to
Runges support desk is automatically generated with the feedback form included as an
attachment.
These following items are stored in the View pull-down menu. The main items are:
In Project Options there are the following: Truck Travel options; Loading options; Cash flow
options; Optimisation options; and, Bucket construction ratings;
In Customise TALPAC the items available are: General Options, Distribution Details and Set
Colours; and
In Project Management you can see all of the created Haulage systems in this project, create
new haulage systems, and run simulations on all of the haul systems.

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Questions
1. When should you change the options settings?
2. How can you tell the location of the current user database?
3. How can the project manager interact with mine planning?

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Answers
WORKSHOP 1: TALPAC Overview
1. What is in a TP7 file?
The TP7 file is the data file stored in your working directory that contains all of the data and
settings for the current project.
2. What are the 5 components of a haulage system?
Material, Roster, Loader, Truck and Haul Cycle.
3. What is a TALPAC project?
A TALPAC project is the collection of saved Haulage Systems that are in the same TP7 file.
4. Why would you want to print out the ALL PARAMETERS sheet?
For reference and auditing. For example it is useful to print this file to have as a backup of the
important TALPAC configuration settings. This is haulage system specific.
5. What are the options available on the right click of the mouse when a template name is highlighted?

6. What types of Haul Segments can be used?

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7. What is the difference between adding to a template list, and editing a template?
Editing a template overwrites the data that already existed in the template. Adding a new template
to the list means that a new template is created, and so all the original templates still remain.

WORKSHOP 2: THE MATERIAL TYPE

1. What is the Loose Density in the loader bucket?
1.55 (See the figure below)

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2. How would you use your own site specific fill factors?
Change the Global variables table.
3. What else will affect the filling of the bucket?
Fragmentation, operator experience, weather conditions, visibility, bucket geometry.

WORKSHOP 3: THE SHIFT ROSTER

1. What are the total annual working hours for the loader?
4099 (See the figure below)
2. What are the total fleet operating shifts for the year?
464 (See the figure below)

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WORKSHOP 4: SELECTING A LOADER

1. What is the total Operating cost per hour?
The total operating cost for each loader is $183.34/operating hour.
2. Why can the template name be different to the database equipment name?
You may want to model variations of the same basic equipment.
3. What does the default bucket payload represent?
The amount of material that is actually in the bucket, not the bucket capacity.

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WORKSHOP 5: SELECTING A TRUCK

1. What is the total operating cost per hour for the truck?
The total operating cost for each truck is $134.48/operating hour.
2. When would you use the different truck types in the same simulation?
If you were simulating a fleet that had more than one type of truck.

WORKSHOP 6: SETTING-UP A HAUL CYCLE

1. When is a new segment required?
Whenever there is a change to the conditions that control velocity. Thus gradient, rolling resistance
and Speed restrictions.
2. How many segments are required?
See the figure below.
3. What other methods are available for constructing a haul route in TALPAC?
Importing data from a text file.
4. What is the benefit of using real names for segment titles?
So the user can visualise, and hence validate, the haul cycle data.
5. What is the relationship between final and maximum speeds for segments?
If a certain segment has a maximum speed, then the preceding segment should have the same speed
set as the final speed for it. Otherwise the truck may enter the next segment at an excessive speed.

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WORKSHOP 7: PRODUCTION ANALYSIS

1. Why is it useful to have different calculation types?
Mine planning requires different scenarios and options to be investigated. This means that
different functionality is required. As well this is useful to calibrate the model in Quick Estimate
(deterministic) mode first.
2. What is the vertical height difference that the load is being elevated through?
205 ft.
3. Why can you get different results in successive runs?
Due to the stochastic distributions used in simulation.
4. How long does it take to reach the production target?
approx. 308 Days

WORKSHOP 8: INCREMENTAL ANALYSIS AND RESULTS TABLE

1. What is the key information?
Key Information is what you need to see, and so depends on the purpose of the simulation. In this
instance, cost, time, productivity, fleet size and length of haul would be key.
2. How many variables are available for inclusion in the results table?
250.
3. When should you consider purchasing another truck?
In year 3. But what else should be considered?

WORKSHOP 9: FLEET SIZE OPTIMIZATION

1. What is the marginal cost of assigning one more truck than the optimum?
$2.36 / bcy.
2. Why are the marginal economics important, and not just the average cost?
Average costs disguise the impact of individual truck assignment.
3. What is the optimum fleet size?
The run with the lowest fleet discount cost.

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WORKSHOP 10: FLEET COMPARISON

1. Which equipment fleet would you recommend the contractor purchase?
The larger fleet is the pure cost choice, but is this correct?
2. What factors affect this decision?
Cost of capital, changes to working hours, flexibility of contract.

WORKSHOP 11: THE EQUIPMENT DATABASE

1. What role would User Defined equipment have at your operation?
You can set up the specifications for the Truck and Loader which exactly match your configuration,
rather than relying on the standard data.

WORKSHOP 12: IMPORTING A HAUL CYCLE

1. Why is the new haul cycle called Baso1?
Set by the variable on line 2 of the import file. Otherwise it will be imported and called the same as
the import file name.
2. How can this feature be used in your situation?
Eg From the mine design package a string can be digitised which represents the haul route. This
string can then be exported to a text file as a series of X,Y, Z points. From there it can be
imported directly into TALPAC.
3. How else can the import facility be used?
To import complete Haul Systems.

WORKSHOP 13: TALPAC OPTIONS

1. When should you change the options settings?
Only after consideration of what they are doing. It is also suggested that if these are changed, then
make sure that changes are properly recorded. The ALL PARAMETRS print outs, and user
defined reports in the Results Tables are two good ways of doing this.
2. How can the project manager interact with mine planning?
Can make the analysis of multiple simulations easier and more straight forward.
3. How can you tell the location of the current user database?
Under View | Project Properties the location and name of the current user database is shown.

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Talpac Commands
Embedded Buttons

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View All Parameters

Optimisation Calculation

View Loading Analysis

Incremental Analysis

View Project Manager

Calculate Full Simulation

or Quick Estimate

Edit Haulage System

Edit Loader Template

Edit Material Template

Edit Truck Template

Edit Roster Template

Edit Haul Cycle

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Toolbars
Save

Help

Print

Insert haul segment

Print preview

Delete haul segment

Equipment database

Paste copied or cut segments in reverse

Edit haul system

Reverse all haul segments

Edit material

Undo last change

Edit roster

Redo last change

Edit loading unit

Export haul cycle

Edit truck

Select rolling resistance

Edit haul cycle

Set speed to maximum

View project manager

Set curve data

Add template

Set truck load to empty

Edit template

Set truck load to full

Delete template

Set load time spot time or truck numbers to

automatic

Copy template

Function Keys

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F1

Help

F9

Run Quick Estimate

F2

Edit

F10

Run Full Simulation

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