SpringerLink
Log in

Surface Miners: Evaluation of the Production Rate and Cutting Performance Based on Rock Properties and Specific Energy

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the production rate (PR) and cutting performance of surface miners (SM) based on rock properties and specific energy (SE). We use data from equipment manufacturers and experimental data in this study and propose a new method and equations to determine both the PR and the cutting speed of SM. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the rock, its abrasivity, and the machine’s engine power are the three most important factors influencing the PR. Moreover, the cutting depth, UCS, and engine power have a significant impact on the cutting speed. We propose a new method and equations to determine the energy required to cut a volume unit and a surface unit, i.e., specific energy, and establish the relationship between SE, UCS, and PR. The results of this study can be used by surface miner operators to evaluate the applicability of the machines to a specific mine site.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Canada)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barendsen P (1970) Tunneling with machines working on the undercutting principle. In: Proceedings of the South African Tunneling Conference, Atlanta, pp 53–58

  • Bilgin N, Balci C, Eskikaya S, Ergunlap D (1997a) Full scale and small scale cutting tests for equipment Selection in a Celestine mine. In: Proceeding of the 6th International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection, Wroclaw, pp 387–392

  • Bilgin N, Kuzu C, Eskikaya S (1997b) Cutting performance of rock hammers and roadheaders in Istanbul Metro drivages. In: Proceeding World Tunnel Congress, Tunnels for People, Balkema, pp 455–460

  • Dey K, Ghose AK (2008) Predicting “cuttability” with surface miners—a rock-mass classification approach. J Min Met Fuels 56(5–6):85–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Dey K, Ghose AK (2011) Review of cuttability indices and a new rock-mass classification approach for selection of surface miners. Rock Mech Rock Eng 44(5):601–611. doi:10.1007/s00603-011-0147-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eskikaya S, Bilgin N, Ozdemir L et al (2000) Development of rapid excavation technologies for the Turkish mining and tunnelling industries. NATO TU Excavation SfS Programme project report. Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Mines, Istanbul pp 172

  • Evans I (1972a) Line spacing of picks for efficient cutting. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 9:355–359

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans I (1972b) Relative efficiency of picks and discs for cutting rock. MRDE Report No. 41, National Coal Board, UK, p 6

  • Evans I (1982) Optimum line spacing for cutting picks. Min Eng 3:433–434

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans I (1984a) A theory of the cutting force for point attack picks. Int J Min Eng 2:63–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans I (1984b) Basic mechanics of the point attack pick. Colliery Guardian, London, pp 189–193

  • Fowell RJ, Johnson ST (1991) Cuttability assessment applied to drag tool tunneling machines. In: Proceeding of the 7th International Congress on Rock Mechanics, A.A. Balkema, Aachen, pp 985–990

  • Greminger M (1982) Technical Note: experimental studies of the influence of rock anisotropy on size and shape effects in point load testing. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 19:241–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones IO, Kramadibrata S (1995) An excavating power model for continuous surface miners. Ausimm Proc 300(2):33–40 ISSN: 1034–6783

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishimatsu Y (1972) The mechanics of the rock cutting. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech 9:261–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmström A (1985) Application of the volumetric joint count as a measure of rock mass jointing. Int. Symp. on Fundamentals of Rock Joints, Björkliden, pp 103–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Plinninger RJ, Spaun G, Thuro K (2002) Prediction and classification of tool wear in drill and blast tunneling, Engineering Geology for Develo** Countries—Proceedings of the 9th Congress of the International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment, Durban, pp 16–20

  • Plinninger RJ, Kasling H, Thuro K, Spaun G (2003) Testing conditions and geomechanical properties influencing the Cerchar abrasiveness index CAI value. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40:259–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan P, Dey K (2009) Rock cutting with surface miner: a computational approach. J Eng Technol Res 1(6):115–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Rostami J, Ozdemir L et al (1994a) Roadheaders performance optimization for mining and civil construction. In: Proceeding of 13th Annual Technical Conference, Institute of Shaft Drilling Technology (ISDT) Las Vegas

  • Rostami J, Ozdemir L, Neil D (1994b) Performance Prediction, The Key Issue in Mechanical Excavation. Mining Engineering, CSM Internal Report, Golden

  • Roxborough FF, Phillips HR (1975) Rock excavation by disc cutter. Intern J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech 12(12):361–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thuro K (1997) Drillability prediction—geological influences in hard rock drill and blast tunnelling. Geol Rundsch 86:426–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thuro K, Plinninger RJ (1998) Geological limits in roadheader excavation—four case studies. In: Proceedings of the 8th international association for engineering geology congress, Rotterdam

  • Thuro K, Plinninger RJ (1999) Roadheader excavation performance—geological and geotechnical influences. In: Proceedings of the 9th international congress on rock mechanics, Paris

  • West G (1989) Technical note: rock abrasiveness testing for tunnelling. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 26(2):151–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining Engineering, Coassolo, Turin, Italy

    Chiara Origliasso

  2. Department of Land, Environment and Infrastructures (DIATI), Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, Turin, 10129, Italy

    Marilena Cardu

  3. CNR-IGAG, Turin, Italy

    Marilena Cardu

  4. Department of Mining Engineering, West Virginia University 359C Mineral Resources Building, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA

    Vladislav Kecojevic

Authors
  1. Chiara Origliasso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marilena Cardu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vladislav Kecojevic
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marilena Cardu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Origliasso, C., Cardu, M. & Kecojevic, V. Surface Miners: Evaluation of the Production Rate and Cutting Performance Based on Rock Properties and Specific Energy. Rock Mech Rock Eng 47, 757–770 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0393-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-013-0393-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation