Underground Mining Equipment Selection

Selection of the equipment package for underground coal mines while surface mining will continue to play dominant role to meet the production target there is a persistent effort to enhance the underground production from its present level by introducing innovative technologies.

Underground mining equipment selection.

Mining method selection is based upon physical geological economical and environmental conditions and constraints. The equipment selection process for an underground mine design plan has an extremely wide scope as there are a myriad of parameters to consider when incorporating mobile and stationary equipment in hard or soft rock mining applications. Principal course topics include the following. Once a decision has been made to go underground the specific mining method selected depends on the size shape and orientation of the ore body the grade of mineralization the strength of the rock materials and the depths involved.

Underground mining operations around the world pose similar risks to worker safety and health. Underground mining requires that any electrical system meet mine safety and health administration guidelines msha 2000 for safe operation in potentially hazardous areas where ignition of methane air or coal dust is a safety concern. The deeper the mine however the greater the risk. This article primarily focuses on the initial selection of mobile equipment in hard rock mining operations.

Introductions to underground mining methods equipment and basic requirements. Though different techniques are used to extract base metals precious metals nonmetallic minerals diamonds and coal the hazards do not differ that much. For example if the ore is very high grade or carries a high price then a higher cost method can be used.