2500 SM - Versatility is the key
The second-largest surface miner from Wirtgen - the 2500 SM - cuts, crushes and loads rock with unconfined compressive strengths of up to 80 MPa in one single operation. This machine is also the ideal candidate for economical routing operations in rock.
Selective mining of coal and useful minerals
Mining bauxite
Wirtgen surface miners are eminently suitable for mining bauxite in those locations where blasting is not permitted. In a Guinean mine, 95,000 tons of bauxite and 20,000 tons of overburden were mined in a period of three months, or 900 operating hours respectively.
Mining coal
Selective mining of coal and interburden with surface miners from Wirtgen improves the coal quality, resulting in an increased calorific value and lower ash contents. Improved quality of the run-of-mine coal reduces the processing effort, meaning coal washing. Selective mining also reduces the volume of overburden to be transported to the spoil pile.
Mining gypsum
Surface miners cut, crush and load the material continuously in one single working operation, which significantly reduces equipment and labour requirements. Producing a specified gradation dispenses with several crushing stages during further processing.
Mining iron ore
Selective mining of iron ore deposits with Wirtgen surface miners enables areas with different ore contents to be mined in separate operations. The production of small-sized material considerably facilitates processing, while cutting costs at the same time.
Mining limestone
The material is crushed sufficiently during the mining operation to dispense with primary crushing. Its gradation is therefore suitable for immediate conveyor transport, reducing the costs of the entire mining process.
Mining salt
Wirtgen surface miners are the ideal candidates for mining salt for industrial purposes, which include the production of PVC, the food industry, de-icing salts, and many more. This image shows a miner operating in an Australian salt mine. The salt layer that has formed in the salt evaporation ponds is removed completely, yet gently. In addition, a level subgrade is produced, enabling the salt pond to be refilled immediately without requiring further preparation.
