Technology is always evolving and advancing, and in the past few decades, we were able to notice the biggest improvements in pretty much every field. We are able to reach depths that we have not even dreamed of reaching, and we are able to explore things that are deep in the ground, and even far into space. Underground mining helps us get resources for a lot of things in our lives, starting from fuel, up to things that add value to what we use. Many people think that these technologies are too complex to comprehend and even though deeply understanding them is impossible unless you have the proper training and education, we can still scratch the surface and know more about them. Here, we are going to list some of the things that you need to know about underground mining technology and systems, and we will help you learn some interesting facts about the process and systems.
1. The technology can be used to reach extreme depths
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The first thing you need to know about these systems is that they are designed to be able to reach extreme depths in the earth. This was a problem for a long time, and even though the first layer of the ground was never too big of a problem to penetrate, the deeper we used to go, the harder it became to break the surface and get to the things that we want.
With the newest technologies, these things have changed, and now with good equipment, miners can get to about 800 meters in depth or about 2500 feet. When it comes to the best equipment that you can find on the market, these systems can dig to almost 2 kilometers in depth or about 6500 feet.
2. There are two main types of mines
When it comes to the different types of mines and rocks that you can find using this equipment, there are two main types. The first one is the sedimentary rock and these minerals are not too difficult to get, and the techniques that are used to get to them are less complex when compared to the other type. The soft underground mines are those where you can find minerals, coals, potash, and oil amongst other soft rocks.
The other type is hard underground mines, and here you can find hard rocks, including zinc, gold, iron, silver, and so on. There are a variety of different methods that can be used to extract them since it all depends on the type of rocks that are excavated, as well as the depth where they are found.
3. This technology is always improving
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As we mentioned before, not too long ago, the systems used to excavate rocks and minerals were much slower, simpler, and they did not allow us to explore and excavate everything that we need. In the past decade, we noticed huge improvements and advancements, and it is said that there is so much room for improvement yet.
According to Newtrax, there are challenges that have been overcome thanks to modern systems, and now, the crew can much easily communicate with each other, their safety is improved, and AI platforms are integrated to help with the whole process.
Note that this does not mean that every challenge has been resolved and that today’s technology is enough for the future, it just means that it is a great stepping stone for everything that is going to come after.
4. Every mine is unique
Another thing that you need to know about the mining process, as well as the mins themselves, is that every underground extraction point is different in its own way. As we mentioned before, there are many different types of substances that can be excavated, and depending on what is found where different systems are utilized.
When building these places, there are things that have to be considered, and depending on what it’s done and how, there has to be a plan, not only for the excavation process but also for the safety and security of the crew.
5. The process and the systems are fairly expensive
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The last thing we are going to talk about is the price of the process. You should know that this is one of the largest industries in the world, and the investments are billions of dollars. This process is more complex and more expensive than surface mining, and there are also bigger risks. Because of this, every person who is involved in the process needs to have a lot of knowledge, understanding, and special training. On the same note, the systems that are utilized are also much more complex, and with that, they are much more expensive. The right type of communication devices are also crucial, so there has to be a big investment in this type of equipment as well. When things are seen separately, for this project to function properly, every small detail needs to be understood, and everything has to be done correctly. Hiring the right crew comes with a big price tag as well, and all of these things combined cost millions and sometimes even billions.
However, this is an investment that will pay off with time, and the profits are huge for everyone involved in the project. The most important part is using the proper tools that are going to speed the process up, and that are going to help avoid any issues that come with it. When the right equipment is implemented, and when all the safety procedures are done right, the risks are much lower, and there are much greater chances for profit.
Note that these are some of the things that you should know about underground mining technologies and systems, and every part of the process is separate and complex on its own. To gain a deeper understanding of it, you should talk to an expert and see how things are done. There is still much more to learn about earth and what we can do to penetrate it further, and with that, reach things that will help us lead even better lives.
