Surface Mining Techniques Investigated
BRL is currently evaluating and trialling continuous surface miners. Recently a number of BRL management and staff visited a clay quarry on the outskirts of Perth where a continuous miner was in operation.
The continuous mining technology has the benefits of:
- Low Dust
- Machinery eliminates the need to drill and blast
- Low Noise
- Eliminates the use of heavy machinery for surface ripping and the crushing process
- Establishes flat surface mining floor that requires minimal road maintenance
- Neighborhood friendly
The continuous miner is seen as ideal for working through the duricrust or caprock, breaking up the partially fragmented bauxite laterite and mining through the softer clay materials leaving the material in a relatively undisturbed state. This allows for a more accurate mine grade calculation through minimal disturbace compared to bulldozers which adopt a 'rip and push' approach.
Images taken at WA Surface Miners worksite.
