Operational success in mining relies heavily on deploying the right assets to ensure extraction targets are met without costly downtime. Consequently, a deep understanding of what machines are used in mining is the critical baseline for anyone looking to secure project viability and protect the bottom line.
From exploration to extraction and rehabilitation, the machines used in the mining industry dictate the operational tempo of a site. If you have ever reviewed a fleet capability statement and wondered exactly how specific assets fit into the production cycle, the answer depends entirely on the geological environment and the scale of the operation.
Machines used in open-pit mining
Open-cut or surface mining operations require heavy earthmoving equipment capable of handling massive volumes of material efficiently. In this environment, the fleet operates as a tightly integrated circuit, where the compatibility and reliability of the machines used in mining directly impact cycle times and the site’s cost-per-tonne.
The primary assets found on a surface mine site include:
- Excavators: Massive hydraulic excavators are responsible for digging and loading material into haul trucks. In large-scale operations, matching the excavator bucket size to the truck tray is critical for optimizing cycle times.
- Dump trucks: Ultra-class rigid dump trucks are designed to haul large volumes of overburden or ore over long distances. Their capacity directly influences the mine’s material movement rate.
- Dozers: Large track and wheel dozers provide the ripping capability needed to break hard ground and feed the excavator fleet, while also maintaining the dump tip to keep the circuit moving.
- Floats (Low-bed trailers): These specialised heavy-haul trailers transport tracked machinery (bulldozers, drills and excavators) between different benches or to the workshop. They reduce travel time and prevent excessive wear on the equipment’s undercarriage.
- Graders: Often undervalued, graders are vital for maintaining haul roads. A grader’s job is to keep haul roads smooth and drained. Superior road maintenance directly correlates to higher truck speeds and significantly reduced tire wear (a major operational cost saver).
- Wheel loaders: While excavators handle the face, wheel loaders dominate the ROM (Run-of-mine) pad and stockpile management, offering the speed and flexibility required for blending ore and loading out crushers.
- Water trucks: These vehicles suppress dust on haul roads to maintain visibility and meet environmental regulations.
- Compactors: Compactors ensure the structural integrity of haul roads, tailings dams and hardstands. Proper compaction prevents road degradation, so the heavy fleet can move safely.
- Scrapers: These versatile mining machines are used to scrape, load and transport surface material over short distances, often utilised during topsoil removal or rehabilitation phases.
Machines used in underground mining
While NPE primarily focuses on the heavy earthmoving fleets for surface operations, the machines used in underground mining face a different set of engineering constraints. These assets must operate in confined spaces with limited ventilation.
Key machines used in these mines include:
- Jumbo drills: These are specialised rigs used to boreholes into the rock face for explosives.
- LHD loaders (Load-Haul-Dump): These low-profile loaders are designed to scoop muck and transport it through narrow tunnels to ore passes or trucks.
- Underground trucks: Unlike surface service trucks, these are articulated and have a low profile to navigate tight declines and tunnels while hauling ore to the surface.
Machines used in mining — the bottom line
Beyond procurement, optimising a mining fleet is an exercise in production engineering. It requires a precise alignment of asset capability with the geotechnical reality of the pit. Factors like material specific gravity (SG), rolling resistance and effective grade must dictate the fleet configuration. The slightest mismatch can introduce queuing, increase component fatigue and fundamentally inflate the cost per BCM.
At National Plant & Equipment, we back our fleet with elite operational expertise. We supply fully maintained, heavy-duty assets for wet and dry hire, ensuring you have the right iron for the application.
To discuss your fleet requirements, browse our equipment rental catalogue, request a quote or contact our team for specific advice.
