Equipment Operations in the Athabasca Tar Sands

This paper describes the mining operations in the Athabasca Tar Sands in Alberta, Canada. The development of the mine is detailed, along with the earthmoving equipment required. Experience to date has revealed a number of problems which the earthmoving industry will have to solve: extreme cold weather which affects all phases of vehicle operation, nature of the terrain, nature of the tar sand itself which is a frozen lumpy mass that can interfer with vehicle operation, maintenance, parts service. This experience is described, and some solutions offered.