No
more rapid handling and extraction of the blue ground seems possible
than is effected by the aid of these alert workers and the perfected
mechanical devices. As soon as the loaded trucks reach the shaft, they
are tipped into loading chutes holding six truck-loads (96 cubic
feet). As the skip reaches the bottom a door is opened, and the
contents of the chute run into the skip and are hoisted to the surface.
Experience has shown that the best results are obtained by sending up
loaded skips from one level at a time. The simple and efficient device
early adopted in the mines for tipping the loads from the trucks into
the skip at No. 1 incline of De Beers consisted of an iron
chute. Four end-tipping trucks were placed close against the edge of
the chute and the catches loosened. As soon as an empty skip was
lowered past the chute the trucks were tipped and the loads ran into
the chutes so rapidly that the engine-driver frequently received a
signal to hoist before his engine had been stopped. The skip in this
incline held 64 cubic feet, or four truck loads weighing 1600 lbs. each.
