Typical Surface Mining Equipment
Mining operations require the use of many different types of equipment and structures. This course discusses the most common types of mobile and stationary equipment used in the mining industry, such as dozers, dredges, backhoes, and shovels, as well as haulage and human transport vehicles. Information on stationary equipment, such as conveyor systems, generators, bins, hoppers, feeders, crushers, screens, and classifiers is also provided. This course also briefly describes commonly used buildings and structures, such as maintenance shops, truck scales, and equipment washing facilities. Based on MSHA’s Title 30 CFR Part 46.5.b.1.
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Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify and describe common mobile excavation and hauling equipment
- Identify and describe common stationary processing equipment
- Describe common types of conveyors
- List common buildings and structures at a mine
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | 30 CFR Part 46.5.b.1 |
Key Questions
What is a bulldozer?
Bulldozers, often referred to as “dozers,” are track-mounted vehicles equipped with a wide, vertical front pusher blade that can be raised or lowered by hydraulic or cable controls.
What are dredges?
Dredges are a type of excavation equipment used to remove material from underwater. They can be land-based or barge- mounted and may employ powerful suction or physical digging methods to bring material to the surface for removal or processing.
What are backhoes?
Either track or tire-mounted, backhoes are similar to shovels except that their bucket faces toward themselves.
What are shovels?
Shovels are versatile excavation machines, often track- mounted, with a large, outward-facing bucket at the end of a powerful, articulated boom that can rotate 360 degrees.
What are draglines?
Draglines are a type of excavation equipment which casts a heavy cable-hung bucket outward from a crane-like boom and drags the bucket toward itself to remove and dump large amounts of overburden, load ore, and manage stockpiles.
What are front-end loaders?
Front-end loaders, or simply “loaders,” are large, typically tire-mounted vehicles with a deep, wide bucket mounted at the front.
What are haul trucks?
Haul trucks, or “haulers,” are tire-mounted vehicles which can range in size and hauling capacity from about 20 tons to as large as 300 tons.
What are water trucks?
Water trucks are tanker trucks used to help suppress dust and other airborne particulate hazards by spraying water over haul roads, access roads, and common work areas.
What are scrapers?
Scrapers are machines with a centrally mounted bowl used to selectively remove and spread overburden over level or relatively level terrain.
What are skid steers?
Often tire-mounted, skid steers are quick, compact, highly maneuverable, and extremely versatile machines which perform a broad range of vital duties throughout the mine.
What are cranes?
Although some cranes can be stationary, many are mobile units that may be tire, track or truck-mounted. Cranes typically lift, place, and transport heavy items such as equipment, building materials, and mined material.
What are conveyors?
With the exception of specialized screw-type mechanisms, conveyors are powerful, motor-driven belt systems which can operate continuously to efficiently move large volumes of material to sorting, processing, stockpiling, or refuse areas.
What are feeders, bins, and hoppers?
Feeders, bins, and hoppers are various types of open-topped containers which supply material to belt or screw conveyors for a range of processing and sorting operations.
What are crushers and screens?
Often working in conjunction with each other, crushers and screens are equipment which resize and sort material. Cone or jaw crushers are used to reduce raw mined material to useable sizes and liberate valuable material from waste products while screens typically serve to sort material by size for possible further processing.
What are classifiers?
Classifiers are a type of sorting system often used in sand and gravel operations for managing the smallest of the salable commodities.
What are water reclamation systems?
Water reclamation systems remove fine sediments and return a high percentage of the used water back into the system.
Sample Video Transcript
While the specific design and size of mobile and stationary surface mining equipment may vary greatly depending upon the type of mining operation, the basic functions of equipment remain the same. A range of mobile excavation and hauling equipment maybe used to transport mined material to stationary processing equipment. In addition to mining and processing equipment, surface mines typically have buildings and structures that provide space for offices, storage, maintenance and equipment refuelling. Before performing work at a mine, be sure to become familiar with the type, function and the location of equipment that you’ll be exposed to in your work environment. To reduce the risk of injuries, always pay close attention to your surroundings. Be aware of emergency communication procedure, wear appropriate PPE, and consult the safety manager at your facility for further guidance.
Additional Resources
- US Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) – www.msha.gov
- MSHA News and Media – http://www.msha.gov/news-media/announcements/2016/02/25/preventing-accidents-involving-machinery-equipment
- MSHA Safety & Health Materials – http://www.msha.gov/training-education/safety-health-materials
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