Introduction
Working in the mining industry requires the use of different types of machinery. These machines help achieve different mining tasks with precision and efficiency. If you’re new to mining, it’s important to have a good understanding of how these machines work. From crushing and grinding equipment to blasting tools and excavators, you’ll encounter machines of different shapes and sizes. Today we’ll be taking a look at the most common types of equipment used in mining and find out why they’re important for the job.
Mining drills
Mining drills are an essential tool for any mining operation. Underground mining is done when minerals or rocks are positioned at a fair distance underneath the ground and need to be brought up to the surface. Specialised underground mining equipment such as diggers, loaders, and trucks are used to excavate raw materials and transferred to the surface with lifts for future processing.
In order to place explosive charges, mining drills are required to free the minerals from overburden material. Over the years, underground mining techniques have improved significantly and remote controlled machinery have slowly been introduced for better drilling efficiency. Mining drills also help create descending holes underground. Miners that are required to work underground use mining drills to create entry and exit points. Mining drills ensure the holes are large enough for the workers to go through.
Blasting tools
Blasting tools are a key component of the mining industry. These tools are used to fracture large materials through the use of explosives to separate the sought-after product from the waste material. Blasting tools are also used to eliminate pockets of unwanted material that prohibit workers and mining equipment from reaching the seams of the sought-after material. To minimise material handling costs, unmanned drill rigs will drill predetermined holes on a blast face. This ensures that a specific size fraction of the material is acquired and minimise liberated overburden as much as possible.
Once this process is finished, the blasted rocks and other material are recovered by an excavator. The material is then transported to a central conveying system where it will be directed to the surface or through a skip and hoist system. Blasting tools are also required for open pit mining operations. Successful mining operations rely on good blast designs as excessive explosives and poor practice can contribute to structural damage in rocks and result in unwanted caving.
Earth movers
For mining operations above the surface, earth movers are required. These types of machinery are used to transport loose soil from one location to another. Earth miners play a crucial role in the mining industry because these machines are designed to facilitate large mining and earth-moving projects. Along with the specialised skills of the operator, pushing material, scooping loose soil, and removing material are done by using earth movers.
Earth movers work in close tandem with bulldozers. Without this heavy duty equipment, the industry would struggle to conduct earthwork operations in an efficient manner. Aside from transporting large quantities of earth, earth movers are also used to remove waste material or overburden. This allows excavators to separate the mineral of interest from the waste material. Bulldozers are then used to create a working space by moving overburden and making room for excavators and haul trucks.
Crushing equipment
As the name implies, crushing equipment are used to reduce the size of large materials like rock and stone into sellable pieces. Crushing equipment come in different shapes and sizes to accommodate a wide range of crushing needs while maximising productivity and reduction rate. Crushing equipment is designed specifically for breaking down material into manageable pieces for easier conveying. This type of equipment plays an important role in the material handling process by reducing costs associated with handling large materials.
Mining and quarrying industries are the primary users of crushing equipment. Raw material is acquired underground which then goes through an extensive material handling system. The material is transported from the mine into the crusher which is then screened to separate the usable material from the waste material. Crushing equipment works in tandem with other mining equipment to achieve an end product to use for winterization road construction, and other similar projects.
Screening equipment
Screening equipment are machines that are designed to sort out raw materials by filtering the usable material from the waste material. When paired with a crusher, you can create a full-circuit system to allow a more seamless material handling process. This is the most effective solution to separate materials to achieve an end product that’s sellable in the marketplace.
This type of equipment uses vibrations along with a screen that separates the materials.The usable material is collected in a catching area and the unusable material is caught in the screen. Screening dirt that removes large debris is a cost-effective way to acquire usable material for your next project. It is imperative that you are knowledgable on equipment such as vibrating screens and vibrating feeders.
Feeding, conveying, and analysis equipment
When the material is ready for crushing, a conveying unit will help control the amount of material that gets fed in the crusher. This helps reduce unwanted repair costs by preventing the crusher from getting damaged due to the large pieces of material it crushes. Combining a feeder with a conveying unit helps improve the efficiency of the crusher to achieve the desired product. Feeding and conveying equipment work in tandem to control material flow in the crusher. Without these two equipments, your crusher will suffer significant damage over time.
Analysis equipment such as a scale system is also an important tool in the mining industry. The regulates material load and monitors production output. There are systems out there that allow you to take a sample while the material is on the conveyor belt to ensure thorough product quality.
Conclusion
In an industry where different operations are carried out, various mining equipments are necessary to help you perform the job more efficiently. These are the mining machines you’ll often encounter in the mining industry. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the equipment used in mining so you can better understand how to operate these machines.
