Mining companies specializing in underground mining know that each mine is unique as each deposit has its own set of geologic, geochemical, and geophysical characteristics. The same holds true for mine shafts and mining cages and, though they are built in accordance to applicable standards and regulations, they are ultimately designed to meet the needs of the operation and the site.
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While numerous mining companies conduct surface mining at their sites, as ore deposits run deeper the associated costs can become prohibitively expensive. One particular indicator is the strip ratio, or the number of waste materials in units that a mine site must remove in extracting one unit of ore. Mining operations that are subject to a larger strip ratio can turn to underground mining as a more cost-efficient and land-friendly investment.
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In Canada, Ontario is among the frontrunners in the mining industry. According to the Ontario Mining Association, the province has 40 mine sites currently operating. The area is renowned as the largest producer of salt, copper, platinum group metals, nickel, and gold in Canada.
In every underground mining facility, each component of the shaft must be able to carry out its respective functions efficiently for the whole operation to succeed. Among the components of note are the skips. As Britannica explains, mine skips act as shaft conveyors for transporting gathered ore from underground to the surface. This equipment is also used for transferring waste rock and debris for disposal.
Metal casting involves the creation of alloys through the melting and molding of different types of metal. This process plays a vital role in the production of high-quality metals used in mining equipment manufacturing, construction, and various other industries. Read more
Mining is one of Canada’s richest sources of income and employment. Over 380,000 people benefit from this industry. Mining has long fueled the economy by providing the building blocks of industrialization, which in turn has created more businesses and job opportunities. Read more
Mining is an industry that pushes the envelope in engineering, and things get even more extreme when it comes to underground mining. The use of underground mines is necessary for excavating at depths greater than 60 metres (the point where surface mining turns inefficient). How Stuff Works highlighted the wide range of depths that underground mines can reach, from 750 metres for coal mines and over 2 kilometres for uranium mines. Read more
The mining business is a vast industry that it is divided into five segments: metal ore mining, non-metal mineral mining, coal mining, supporting activities, and gas and oil extracting. The requirements can differ greatly within each segment which emphasizes the need for custom-made equipment. For example, precious metal mining cars need to operate in different environments versus those used for mining nickel ore. Choosing equipment that would be compatible to a certain application and specific tasks can be a challenge especially when each mine is different. Fortunately, through modern technology and advances in engineering, custom-made mining cars and other equipment can be crafted to fit each mine’s needs. Read more
The equipment used by miners in Ontario are subject to constant friction, tension and compression, which means wear and tear on exposed parts. Continuous use of production equipment regardless of the condition of worn parts can have a huge impact on productivity. Besides failing to extract sufficient amounts of ore, they may eventually break down, resulting in costly downtime. Read more
Before a mining project commences, the site in question is thoroughly explored, entailing a series of lengthy and complex analyses and appraisals to determine the feasibility of the project and the most efficient process to implement. If the minerals are found to be deposited deep in the earth, the only viable option is developing an underground mining operation that involves the creation of a mine shaft. Read more
