The Top 10 Machines Used in Mining
Unlike the old days when pickaxes and gold pans were the main tools for miners, mining has become a flourishing business that requires heavy-duty equipment. Because of increased demand and competition, the scale of mining operations has increased. In addition, many mining companies utilize the best mining tools and strategies to increase productivity and achieve better results. Mining equipment and transport has advanced in functionality and size to mine faster and more effectively.
For successful mining operations, different mining equipment are utilized. In this blog, you will learn what the mining industry does, the most used heavy equipment for mining, and why transporting mining equipment safely is essential.
What Does the Mining Industry Do?
“Different equipment is used for drilling, blasting, or digging during extraction. “
The mining industry involves several activities, including metals production, trading, and investing. Mining is the extraction of precious metals and minerals from underground. These metals and minerals are mined for profit and used in industrial applications, investments, and jewels-making.
Some of the precious metals mined include gold, silver, and platinum. Also, industrial metals like copper, steel, and aluminum are mined. Minerals include the extraction of precious gemstones such as diamonds and coal.
The Most Used Heavy Equipment for Mining
Mining operations require a variety of equipment to get the job done efficiently. Different equipment is used for drilling, blasting, or digging during extraction. Equipment also sorts and loads materials to the processing or dumping sites. Others are used in grinding, crushing, separating, and refining mined ore. Here are the top 10 pieces of equipment used in mining:
- Excavators
- Mining Dozers
- Wheel Loaders
- Motor Graders
- Water Trucks
- Drill Rigs
- Wheel Tractor Scrapers
- Electric Rope Shovels
- Mining Diesel Tankers
- Hydraulic Mining Shovels
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More About The Most Commonly Used Equipment In Mining
While different equipment is used in both surface and underground mining, these are the top five heavy machines you will commonly find in mining sites:
- Excavators
Excavators are the most commonly used mining equipment due to their versatility, multi-functionality, and maneuverability. Their functions include digging trenches, demolishing structures, moving large objects, and performing other earthmoving operations. Excavators come in different types, including bucket wheel excavators, backhoes, power shovels, and dragline excavators. Excavators are commonly shipped nationwide.
Draglines are large excavators primarily used in surface mining. They have a large bucket supported by ropes and wires at the end of a boom that collects mined material.
- Large Mining Dozers
Dozers are used in the mining sites to move debris. They can also be used for ripping when blasting is not an option. Adding extra attachments allows dozers to reclaim and rake the land around a mining site. Crawler dozers and wheel dozers are the most common bulldozers used in mining.
- Drill Rigs
Drill rigs are used to create holes through the rock or soil. The drilled holes are used to place explosives for blasting ores near the earth’s surface. Rotary drill rigs are the most preferred due to their versatility, flexibility, and effectiveness. These drill rigs can create holes ranging from 6 to 22 inches in diameter and up to 150 feet deep. Besides rotary drill rigs, the other main type of drill used in mining is a percussion or hammer drill.
- Wheel Loaders
Wheel loaders come in compact or large sizes and are used in mining sites to load materials onto trucks. They are also used for earthmoving purposes, including lifting soil, gravel, debris, pallets, etc. The size of the wheel loader determines its bucket and load handling capacity.
- Mining Trucks
Also known as off-road highway trucks, mining trucks move materials around a mine site. They are designed to work in extreme conditions, including heat, cold, high altitudes, and steep slopes, while carrying heavy loads.
Why Transporting Mining Equipment Safely is Essential
Heavy machinery makes mining operations possible, but transporting them from one location to another can be challenging without the right resources. That’s why you should partner with a professional mining heavy machinery moving company to haul your equipment safely. A professional mining equipment hauling and rigging company will have the resources and expertise to handle the moving process efficiently. In addition, they know and adhere to the best practices to ensure efficient and safe delivery.
Transporting mining equipment safely is essential as it ensures your heavy machinery reaches its destination without damage. The process involves proper planning, communication, and choosing the right trailer to transport oversized loads. Riggers must know how to load and adequately secure the mining equipment, recognize any potential hazard, communicate effectively, and comply with all safety regulations and requirements.
Mining plays a significant role not only in the miners’ lives but also in the economy. Advanced surface and underground mining equipment are used to meet strict safety requirements and mine faster and more effectively. At Heavy Equipment Transport, we offer safe and efficient transport of mining equipment from different manufacturers. No matter the size or model, we have the expertise and the suitable trailers to get your heavy machinery where you need it.
William Thomas
Heavy Transport Specialist
Being able to lead a team of such talented logistics agents has been a wonderful experience over the past ten years. If you would like to know anything more about the heavy equipment transport services we offer, don't hesitate to give us a call!