The operating principle of surface mining

Wirtgen surface miners are used for cutting rock and useful minerals. The highly robust machines are employed in both open-cast mining and routing operations for road and tunnel construction.

The operating method of surface miners resembles that of cold milling machines. A special cutting drum cuts and crushes the material. Robust conveyor systems then load the material on dumpers or discharge it to the side of the miner. Alternatively, the material can also be deposited as a windrow between the miner’s crawler tracks.

A highly precise automatic levelling system maintains the cutting depth. This highly accurate method enables useful minerals, coal or limestone to be mined selectively and with high purity.