Coal mining operations have changed considerably since they were done by hand. Today, continuous mining equipment handles the process of removing coal reserves from underground coal seams.
A continuous miner is a large machine used in underground mining operations to remove coal reserves from the ground. The machine is powered by electricity and has several large cutting blades that work to cut through the coal seam. The machine is also equipped with conveyor belts that move the coal into position to be mined.
Safety is always a concern in any mining operation, but it is especially important with continuous miners because of the large amount of equipment and the close proximity to other miners. There are several safety features built into continuous mining machines, including emergency stop buttons and sensors that detect when someone is too close to the machine.
Continuous miners come with many advantages including:
-They are powered by electricity so they do not produce the harmful fumes associated with diesel-powered machines.
-The cutting blades are much larger than those on traditional mining equipment, so they can cut through coal seams more quickly.
-The conveyor belts allow the machine to move the coal into position to be mined, which reduces the amount of time that miners have to spend in the coal seam.
-The machine is also equipped with applicable safety equipment to protect sensitive equipment and miners in the event of an emergency with lockouts and guards.
Continuous miners have revolutionized the industry by making it possible to mine coal more quickly and efficiently. This has made it possible to produce more coal with fewer miners, which has helped to keep mining jobs safe. If you would like to learn more about continuous miners or other mining equipment, please contact us today. We specialize in a wide range of safety equipment and solutions that can protect you and your workers.
This post was written by Justin Tidd, Director at Becker/SMC. For nearly a half a century, Becker Mining has been at the forefront of safety, producing the best electrical control system in the industry. Becker/SMC is the industry’s leader in increasingly more sophisticated electrical control systems. Most of the major innovations, design features and specialized electrical components have been developed by Becker/SMC.
