Steep-belt conveying installation for open-cast mining

A steep-angle conveying installation for transporting raw materials along a slope of an open-cast mining pit from a low-level loading station at a working level of the open-cast mining pit to a high-level unloading station at a ground level, the steep-angle conveying installation comprising:

• a track arranged on the slope of the open-cast mining pit;
• a first conveying cage and a second conveying cage movable along the track between the low-level loading station and the high-level unloading station, the first and second conveying cages for receiving raw materials, wherein the first and second conveying cages each include an emptying flap for emptying the raw materials from the first and second conveying cages, with the emptying flap being movable between an open position and a closed position;
• and
• a thrust carriage for moving the emptying flap between the open position and the closed position, the thrust carriage positionable against the emptying flap from an outside of the first and second conveying cages.

A method of actuating an emptying flap on conveying cages of a steep-angle conveying installation for use along a slope of an open-cast mining pit, wherein the emptying flap is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the conveying cages are for transporting raw materials from a low-level loading station at a working level of the open-cast mining pit to a high-level unloading station at a ground level, the method comprising:

• moving a conveying cage to the high-level unloading station;
• moving a thrust carriage against the emptying flap;
• unlocking the emptying flap by way of a flap lock;
• and
• moving the emptying flap by way of a controlled movement of the thrust carriage while maintaining contact between the emptying flap and the thrust carriage.