A Comprehensive List of Used Machines Used in Coal Mining Operations

A Comprehensive List of Used Machines Used in Coal Mining Operations

Coal mining has been performed since the arrival of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century. Coal is used as a fuel primarily for steam-generated electrical power plants, as well as being a component of certain industrial applications, such as steel manufacturing. Coal is widely distributed over the planet, either as underground seams that must be mined, or as deposits located closer to the earth's surface. The latter accounts for 90% of the coal production worldwide.

In order to extract coal, power companies and other large-scale consumers require efficient machines with the right capabilities. Below is a comprehensive list of machines commonly used in coal mining operations.

Dozers: Dragline dozers are built as a combination of wheeled machines and track-mounted units. They usually feature a large blade capable of pushing large volumes of earth. Dozers are often used in the early stages of coal mining to clear land and develop mining sites.

Longwall shearers: When coal seams are relatively flat and continuous, longwall shearers are used. These machines resemble enormous cutting machines, able to shear coal from the face of a seam. The shearers are also equipped with drums that serve as transporters and conveyors for the coal once it has been sheared.

Loaders: Loaders are used to load coal into haul trucks for transportation to a storage site or to the next stage of the mining process. These machines are designed to scoop and load large amounts of coal rapidly.

Haul trucks: Haul trucks, also known as rigid dump trucks, are used to transport large quantities of coal over long distances. These trucks are powerful and sturdy, capable of carrying heavy loads in various terrains.

Drills: Drilling is an essential process in coal mining operations as it is used for a wide range of tasks, such as core sampling, exploration, and blasting. Drills are typically mounted on either tracks or wheels, allowing them to penetrate the earth and extract samples or create explosives holes.

Continuous miners: Continuous miners are large machines used to remove coal from the earth in a controlled manner. These machines resemble large drills, and they can bore through seams of coal and extract it.

Conveyors: Conveyors are used to transport extracted coal from the mining site to the storage yard or on to the next stage of processing. Conveyors are also used to transport coal over long distances, efficiently and in a cost-effective manner.

Coal mills: These large machines crush coal into a pulverized form, making it easier to combust. Pulverized coal achieved its widespread use as a solid fuel due to its more efficient and cleaner burning properties compared to raw coal.

Coal crushers: These machines are used in a variety of industries, such as mining and construction, for reducing the size of large rocks or gravel, into smaller components.

In summary, coal mining operations require a comprehensive list of equipment in order to perform their duties efficiently. To ensure the safety of coal miners, it is vital to use reliable and sturdy equipment that has been tested and approved by mining organizations. While there are various machines used in coal mining operations, the ones listed above are among the most commonly used, ensuring the success and efficiency of the mining operation.

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