The key benefits of Surface mining technology

Economics

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.

Low capital cost

The investment costs in Wirtgen surface miners are considerably lower than investment costs required for conventional mining equipment.

Selective mining

The machines' adjustable cutting depth allows even thin seams to be mined selectively and with high purity, thus contributing to a better exploitation of the mineral deposit. Selective mining with Wirtgen surface miners also results in an improved quality of the useful mineral mined, which entails lower processing costs.

Environment protection

Blasting is often required in open-cast mining and rock operations. If blasting is prohibited because of the resulting vibrations or noise and dust emissions, Wirtgen surface miners can be employed to mine the material with economic efficiency.

Only one work step

Wirtgen surface miners produce small-size material in the mining operation, which means that crushing the material in a separate work step is dispensed with.