The overland conveyor at the Los Pelambres mine in Chile is designed to move 8700 t/h of material over 12 km at a speed of 6 m/s while descending 1400 m._x000D_
The conveyor, which is divided into three segments, is equipped with a braking system that must bring it to rest without producing excessive stresses in the conveyor belt. Retardation and gently stopping a mass of 250 t requires retardation times in the order of 60 seconds._x000D_
Brakes that can provide this performance require sophisticated controls as well as very high heat absorption capacity._x000D_
This paper describes the thermal analysis of the braking system, which required the use of novel materials to meet the arduous duties imposed on the callipers and discs.