With India having a huge demand for electricity and steel, coal and iron ore being the main inputs, the demand for mining machineries is poised to see a phenomenal change not only in quantity but also in size and technology. This sector is moving into a new era with the opening up of the mining industry to the private sector and the concept of captive mining.
To move huge quantum of overburden and produce large volume of coal to feed mega power and steel plants, mining companies have been forced to look beyond their existing practices to more modern methods of mining. This involves large digging and hauling equipment, a practice being followed in most of the major developed mining countries.
The trend for digging machines in open cast mines is definitely moving beyond the existing 10 cubic metre class to anywhere between 35 to 45 cubic metre class. While for the hauling the matching sizes have to be between 240T-310T, from the existing 85T-120T.
End-to-end efficiency is the keyword for any industry and the mining sector is no different. Focus on the utilisation of equipment from blasting to dumping can produce the target numbers we are talking since long. To make this happen, quality machines with proper technology backed up by 24x7 maintenance and original spares, well-equipped repair facilities, and trained and efficient skills are required. The only way to make this happen is through a close cooperation and partnership with the equipment manufacturers. The original equipment manufactures are supposed to know their equipment best and they should be given the responsibility for the efficient performance of their machines for its lifetime through maintenance, repair, timely sourcing of parts and training.
For the growth of the industry and to meet the target numbers for coal for the 11th Plan, a paradigm shift is required in the industry. The acceptance of the fact that we need technology, large equipment, lack benchmarking, knowledge and skills etc., would make it easy for things to move forward. It is a well-accepted practice worldwide to follow a success story, and we should avoid reinventing the wheel and pick up the best practices from successful ongoing mining companies and equipment manufactures. Major mining companies and the government should seek advice and consultancy services from experienced individuals or companies who have been involved in these operations. Encouragement should be given to partnership planning with major mining equipment manufacturers for end-to-end efficiency.

One-stop shop for latest technology

P&H MinePro Services, India, has its service set-ups in all major mining areas with well-equipped workshops for repairs and rebuilds, along with Joy Mining operations and a mother warehouse centrally located in Kolkata. P&H Joy Mining Equipment India Ltd is a company under Joy Global Inc., USA, which is a one-stop-shop for latest technology and machineries for both surface and underground mining. For instance, P&H MinePro Services (for surface mining) and distribution network of P&H Mining Equipment and Joy Mining Machinery (for underground mining). Such initiatives are under way worldwide, including India, under P&H Joy Mining Equipment India Ltd.
Regardless of the mining region, MinePro and Joy customers pursue optimal operations efficiency. They look to suppliers like MinePro and Joy to provide productivity enhancing equipment, preventive maintenance, motor and transmission repairs and rebuilds, equipment upgrades and modernisations to help optimise the value of their equipment over its entire useful lifecycle.
Electric mining shovels from 10 cubic metre to 55.80 cubic metre dipper capacity; blast hole drills up to 22 inch size holes; walking draglines up to 122 cubic metre bucket capacity; lifecycle management complete with parts and labour for all equipment; spare parts supply with specialised service; refurbishing and overhauling of equipment; and relocation of equipment are some of the products and services for surface mining offered by P&H MinePro Services. Joy Mining Machinery for underground mining offers continuous miners, bolting system, longwall system, haulage system etc.