Mining involves moving large volumes of earth to extract valuable resources. Many different types of machines are needed to procure the ore, minerals, and aggregate. These raw materials are used in many industries such as agriculture, chemical, electronics, energy, food, iron and steel, paint, rubber, and medicine to name a few.

Large vehicles are used to transport dirt, coal, limestone, salt, and other minerals that are extracted from the ground. The extra size of the vehicles obviously enables them to carry more product per haul which drives down per load costs. Accessing and maintaining these vehicles can be challenging as their sheer size mean workers are almost always going to be working from height to maintain them.   

Surface mining and underground mining vehicles such as LHD loaders, scoops, mining scalers, dinting machines, and rock breakers play pivotal roles in successful mining operations. Workers need safe access and fall protection to keep these machines running and well maintained to ensure operations continue to be productive.

Surface mining – “There are five recognized types of surface mining, each with specific variations depending on the minerals being extracted. These include strip mining, open-pit mining, mountaintop removal, dredging and high wall mining.”