Earthmoving Equipment in an Underground Environment

The purpose of this paper is to describe a room and pillar underground mining operation where conventional surface-type earthmoving trucks and rubber tired loaders are used to load and haul shot rock salt from the mining faces to the primary crusher.

It will also explain the methods used to introduce this equipment into the mine, pointing out some of the differences between a surface and an underground operation.

Some of the methods used to maintain an acceptable quality of the underground atmosphere are discussed and the additional maintenance required to keep this equipment in proper working condition is indicated.