Derivation of a diggability index for surface mine equipment selection

Abstract

This paper reports on research aimed at developing techniques to predict the influence of ground conditions on excavating equipment performance. The work was conducted in operating British surface coal mines and presents a technique for diggability assessment in that mining and geotechnical environment. A diggability index is proposed which consideres both ground conditions and excavating equipment capabilities. This is supported by reference to back-analysis of several mine excavating case studies. © 1984.