Surface miners cut, crush and load the material in one single machine pass – meaning that one single machine completes the job of many different pieces of equipment. The mining operation thus becomes simple and economically efficient, because there is no need to co-ordinate different sub-processes.

Selective mining of coal and useful minerals

Mining bauxite

Wirtgen surface miners are eminently suitable for mining bauxite in those locations where blasting is not permitted. In a Guinean mine, 95,000 tons of bauxite and 20,000 tons of overburden were mined in a period of three months, or 900 operating hours respectively.

Mining coal

Selective mining of coal and interburden with surface miners from Wirtgen improves the coal quality, resulting in an increased calorific value and lower ash contents. Improved quality of the run-of-mine coal reduces the processing effort, meaning coal washing. Selective mining also reduces the volume of overburden to be transported to the spoil pile.

Mining gypsum

Surface miners cut, crush and load the material continuously in one single working operation, which significantly reduces equipment and labour requirements. Producing a specified gradation dispenses with several crushing stages during further processing.

Mining iron ore

Selective mining of iron ore deposits with Wirtgen surface miners enables areas with different ore contents to be mined in separate operations. The production of small-sized material considerably facilitates processing, while cutting costs at the same time.

Mining limestone

The material is crushed sufficiently during the mining operation to dispense with primary crushing. Its gradation is therefore suitable for immediate conveyor transport, reducing the costs of the entire mining process.

Mining salt

Wirtgen surface miners are the ideal candidates for mining salt for industrial purposes, which include the production of PVC, the food industry, de-icing salts, and many more. This image shows a miner operating in an Australian salt mine. The salt layer that has formed in the salt evaporation ponds is removed completely, yet gently. In addition, a level subgrade is produced, enabling the salt pond to be refilled immediately without requiring further preparation.

Mining oil shale

Direct comparative testing in the Estonian oil shale mining operation showed Wirtgen surface miners to be superior to conventional mining methods. Both the productivity of the machines and the high quality of the material mined in the selective process spoke for themselves. The additional cost benefits resulting from higher truck filling levels, as well as positive aspects in terms of environmental protection and safety have made surface mining the preferred mining method.

Cutting trechnes, surfaces and embankments with precision

Routing operations for road and track construction

Surface miners cut a route through existing rock, which then forms an ideal subgrade for the different pavement layers of the road to be built. Additional advantage: Transport vehicles can travel on the stable surface over the entire construction period without causing damage.

Cutting trenches

A somewhat different approach to earthmoving: Cutting trenches or lowering the floor of water reservoirs is yet another profitable field of application for the Wirtgen surface miners. The machines cut the cross-section of trenches or reservoir floors cleanly and with utmost precision, strictly adhering to the specified tolerances.