I. In earthworks
Precision Excavation
In the early stage of mining, it is often necessary to carry out some precise earthwork operations, such as digging the foundation for laying transport roads. The small excavator is able to carry out precise digging operations in narrow spaces with its compact and flexible body. It can accurately remove the soil according to the predetermined route and depth, creating good conditions for the subsequent entry of large equipment and ore transport.
For example, in some mountainous mining areas, the terrain is complicated and winding mountain roads need to be opened up to transport the ore. Small excavators can use their retractable boom to dig meticulously on the steep slopes of the mountain, trimming the road contour to meet the requirements, while large excavators are difficult to complete such fine work in this complex terrain.
Clearing the working surface
When debris such as rubble and slag accumulates during the mining process, the small excavator can quickly clean up the debris. It can shovel up the loose materials piled up near the ore mining working face and load them into the transport vehicle, keeping the working face tidy and convenient for subsequent mining operations.
Especially in coal mining, coal mining will produce a large amount of gangue, small excavator can efficiently clean up this gangue to the designated location, to prevent it from affecting the normal mining order. And its digging depth and height can be adjusted according to the actual working surface, to ensure that the cleaning is thorough.
Second, the auxiliary aspects of ore mining
Small vein mining
For some of the smaller veins, large mining equipment is difficult to perform, this time the small excavator can show its hand. It can be along the vein of the direction of the excavation, will contain ore rock carefully excavated out, to avoid excessive damage to the vein, thus improving the recovery rate of ore.
Taking gold mining as an example, some thin gold veins are hidden in the mountains, the small excavator can gradually dig out the ore without destroying the overall structure of the vein, and it can be better adapted to different hardnesses of ore excavation needs by replacing different bucket attachments.
Assisting in crushing operations
In the process of ore mining, some ores are large in size and not suitable for direct transport. The small excavator can work with the crusher, which can initially crush the larger ore into smaller pieces and improve the efficiency of the subsequent crusher.
For example, in copper mining, some huge copper ore blocks need to be first crushed by the small excavator’s simple crushing process, and then crushed by the crusher for further crushing and processing, which can reduce the crusher’s working pressure and extend its service life.
Third, the adaptability of the working environment
Narrow space operation
Part of the mining area there are some tunnels, caves or underground tunnels and other narrow working environment, large machinery can not enter. Small excavator small size, light weight, can be in these narrow spaces freely in and out, for ore mining related auxiliary work.
For example, in the underground mining of potash mine, the underground tunnel is narrow and limited height, small excavator can be in this environment for digging, support and other work, to ensure the smooth progress of the mining work.
Complex terrain response
The terrain of many mining areas is complex and varied, with different landforms such as hills and gullies. The tracked travelling device of the small excavator enables it to keep stable travelling on the rugged ground, cross some small gullies and obstacles, and reach the position where it needs to work.
In rare earth mining, for example, where the mining area may be located in hilly terrain, small excavators can easily travel between the hills to mine and initially process the ore.