Every year, we extract around 90 billion tons of resources from the earth, which is an incredible feat. We’re indeed depleting our planet of precious resources, but in many cases, it’s necessary to sustain life as we know it.
Much of our everyday life is dependent on these resources, yet not many people know about what goes into these mining processes. Learning about them can give us a better understanding and appreciation of mining, and it can help us come up with more sustainable procedures too.
Keep reading to find out what heavy mining equipment is used.
In this article
Excavators
These are versatile machines that greatly aid miners in their jobs. They have a bucket on the end of a hydraulic arm and are used for digging, trenching, loading, and leveling the ground.
Excavators come in various sizes. They range from compact models for light tasks to massive machines used for heavy-duty mining operations.
Bulldozers
Bulldozers are mining vehicles that are similar to excavators, except they have a large blade on the front. These robust machines are usually used for pushing and moving large amounts of materials, such as earth, rock, and debris.
On land, bulldozers are excellent for creating access roads and leveling terrain. They can also clear land for mining purposes.
Haul Trucks
Haul trucks (or dump trucks) are important vehicles, as they transport mined materials to the processing or dumping areas.
Like the other vehicles, they come in various sizes to suit the tasks and sites. The largest ultra-class haul trucks can carry hundreds of tons of materials in a single load, making them extremely efficient. You can take a look at Baldwin filters online to see what parts they need to operate.
Drills
Without drills, we wouldn’t be able to mine at all, so this makes them a vital piece of underground mining equipment. These powerful tools bore holes into the ground for not only ore extraction but also rock blasting and exploration.
The different types of drills include:
- Rotary
- Blasthole
- Underground
Crushers and Screeners
Crushers are a type of machine t used to break down large rocks or ore into smaller, more manageable pieces. They’re typically paired with screeners, as they’ll sort the crushed materials based on size.
Both of these are vital tools used in mining to process the mined materials.
Draglines
Draglines are surface mining equipment that mainly removes overburden, which is the top layer of soil and rock. This means that they expose coal, minerals, and ores underneath.
Draglines have a large bucket that’s hung from a boom. You can then maneuver the bucket by using cables and counterweights.
Heavy Mining Equipment Is Necessary for Safety and Efficiency
After reading this article, you may have learned a thing or two about heavy mining equipment.
All these pieces of machinery come together to provide a safer and more efficient worksite. As a result, miners keep providing us with the essential materials we need for maintaining our daily lives.
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